How to Grow and Care for Chickweed

Algerian tea (Paronychia argentea) is a pretty Mediterranean wildflower that thrives in sandy habitats. You can see its abundant fluffy flowers blooming over a long period from winter through to midsummer. Paronychia capitata is a neighbor species with a similar appearance and habitat that is most easily differentiated by its much shorter flowering season.

Smooth forked nailwort is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial with small, greenish-white flowers surrounded by scale-like bracts. Typically found in dry, sandy habitats, it adapts to its environment with tiny, lance-shaped leaves that minimize water loss. This unassuming ground cover spreads through wiry stems, thriving in sunlight while contributing to the complex tapestry of its native ground-layer ecosystems.

Nailwort is a hardy perennial herb with small, delicate white to greenish flowers. Its stems are typically prostrate, forming mats that hug the ground, an adaptation likely for survival in its rocky or sandy habitats. The leaves are narrow, with a unique sheathing base, giving nailwort its distinctive appearance, and aiding in identification. The plant's inconspicuous flowers seek to make the most of the scarce resources available in tough terrains.

Drummond's nailwort is a resilient, low-growing perennial herb that thrives in sandy or rocky soils of North American prairies. Its small, inconspicuous flowers, with greenish to whitish tones, blend seamlessly into the landscape. The plant's linear leaves and widespread habit enable it to adapt to open, dry environments, forming a dense carpet that withstands moderate trampling and grazing.

San francisco nailwort has a strange name, given that it is a plant native to Chile. However, the plant was introduced in San Fransisco, USA, and was first described there. This is mat-forming plant provides good ground cover for gardens. But in some places like Australia, it grows so pervasively and is considered a weed.