Royal Catchfly is a perennial grown for its red blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it shrugs off deer, shrugs off dry spells, and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a real draw for butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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What Royal Catchfly is
Royal Catchfly grows as a perennial and reaches around 3.5 feet at maturity. It blooms red in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Royal Catchfly
Royal Catchfly does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 6.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
6.5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
3.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant royal catchfly in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Royal Catchfly prefers pH 6.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut royal catchfly blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — royal catchfly isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Royal Catchfly is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Royal Catchfly thrives
Whether royal catchfly thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Royal Catchfly will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether royal catchfly actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Royal Catchfly in my zone?
Zone data for royal catchfly is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Royal Catchfly?
Most growers plant royal catchfly after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Royal Catchfly need?
Royal Catchfly needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Royal Catchfly need?
Royal Catchfly prefers soil pH 6.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Royal Catchfly attract pollinators?
Yes — royal catchfly's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Royal Catchfly safe for pets?
Royal Catchfly is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.