Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is a stunning native wildflower famous for its brilliant, scarlet-red blooms that look like tiny stars held high on slender stems. In full flower, it’s one of the most dramatic plants in a summer garden, standing 3–4 feet tall and drawing the eye from across a yard or prairie planting. The intense red color is rare among prairie natives and makes royal catchfly a natural focal point wherever it’s planted.

This clump-forming perennial is native to prairie and savanna regions of the central United States, especially around the Ozark area. In gardens, it thrives in sunny, well-drained sites and rewards gardeners with weeks of vivid color in mid to late summer. Because it evolved in lean, often dry soils with hot summers, royal catchfly is also quite drought tolerant once established, especially when its deep taproot has had time to grow.

Key Characteristics

• Height: 3–4 feet tall

• Bloom Time: Mid- to late summer (often July–August)

• Light Requirements: Full sun; tolerates light partial shade

• Soil Preference: Sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil with excellent drainage; dry to medium moisture

• Zones: Typically hardy in USDA zones 5–8 (sometimes 4–9 depending on source and conditions)

Royal catchfly has upright, unbranched stems clothed in narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Stems, leaves, and flower calyces often have fine, sticky hairs—part of what inspired the common name “catchfly,” as small insects can become trapped on the sticky surfaces. At the top of each stem, clusters of bright red, five-parted, star-like tubular flowers open in succession, eventually maturing into brown seed capsules in fall.

Why Royal Catchfly Is Attractive to Hummingbirds

Royal catchfly is one of the most hummingbird-adapted prairie plants you can grow. Its flowers tick every box for hummingbird pollination:

• Color: The blooms are a vivid scarlet red, a color hummingbirds see and respond to very strongly.

• Shape: The flowers are tubular with a flared, star-like mouth, perfectly shaped for a hummingbird’s long bill and tongue.

• Position: The blossoms are held out and up on tall, slender stems, making them easy for hovering hummingbirds to approach and feed from.

In many parts of its range, royal catchfly is pollinated primarily by ruby-throated hummingbirds, making it one of the few prairie plants that relies heavily on hummingbirds for pollination. When you plant it in sunny beds, borders, or prairie-style plantings, you’re effectively putting up a neon “open” sign for hummingbirds in mid to late summer.

Because it blooms later in the season, royal catchfly is especially valuable as hummingbirds raise young and begin preparing for migration. Combining it with other red and tubular flowers—like cardinal flower, bee balm, and native salvias—creates a powerful hummingbird buffet that stays productive from early summer into fall.

Natural Habitat and Growing Conditions

In the wild, royal catchfly grows in dry, rocky or sandy soils in prairies, open woods, savannas, and along sunny edges and slopes. It’s adapted to well-drained sites with plenty of sun and periodic drought, and it forms deep taproots that help it reach moisture in tough conditions.

To mimic its natural habitat in the garden:

• Light: Give royal catchfly full sun whenever possible. It will tolerate some light partial shade, but blooming is strongest and stems are sturdiest with abundant sun.

• Soil: Excellent drainage is essential. Sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils are ideal. Heavy clay can be workable if it’s on a slope or has been amended to improve drainage, but waterlogged conditions are a recipe for rot.

• Moisture: Prefers dry to medium soil moisture once established. It appreciates watering during the first year or two, but mature plants are fairly drought tolerant. Avoid constantly wet or irrigated sites where soil never dries out.

Because it dislikes wet feet, royal catchfly is an especially good choice for sunny slopes, berms, rocky beds, and prairie-style plantings where many traditional garden perennials may struggle.

Care and Maintenance

Royal catchfly is not difficult to grow once it’s in the right spot, but it has a few specific preferences.

• Watering: Keep soil moderately moist during the first growing season to help the taproot establish deeply. After that, water only during extended dry spells, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.

• Feeding: Royal catchfly evolved in relatively lean soils and doesn’t need heavy fertilization. Too much fertility can encourage weak, floppy growth. A light application of compost in spring is usually plenty.

• Mulching: In sandy or rocky sites, a light gravel or thin organic mulch can help conserve moisture while still allowing good drainage. Avoid thick, water-holding mulches right at the crown.

• Staking: In rich garden soil or very windy sites, tall stems may lean. Planting royal catchfly among sturdy companions (like grasses or other upright perennials) can provide natural support. Formal staking is rarely necessary if it’s in the right community.

• Deadheading and cleanup: You can deadhead spent blooms to tidy the plant or encourage energy toward root growth rather than seed. In naturalistic plantings, leaving seedheads allows natural reseeding and provides winter structure. Cut stems back in late fall or early spring.

Because of its deep taproot, royal catchfly doesn’t like being moved once established. Take care when choosing its final location and avoid frequent transplanting.

Ecological Benefits

Royal catchfly is a high-value plant in native and wildlife gardens.

• Hummingbird specialist: It is one of the few prairie plants that is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds, making it especially important from an ecological standpoint.

• Butterfly and bee nectar: The blooms also attract large butterflies and native bees that can access the nectar and pollen.

• Native diversity: As a relatively rare native in the wild and state-listed as threatened or endangered in some regions, planting royal catchfly in gardens and restorations can help preserve this species and the ecological relationships it supports.

By including royal catchfly in your plantings, you’re adding both spectacular beauty and meaningful support for hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Why Grow Royal Catchfly

Royal catchfly is one of those plants that, once you’ve grown it, you don’t want to be without.

1. Vivid, Unmistakable Red Blooms

If you love red flowers, royal catchfly is a must-have. Its intense scarlet blooms are among the brightest reds in the native plant world, and they stand out even in full sun. The star-shaped petals add an extra layer of visual interest, making each flower eye-catching up close and from a distance.

2. A Top-Tier Hummingbird Plant

Royal catchfly is essentially designed for hummingbirds. If your goal is to attract and support hummingbirds in mid to late summer, planting a grouping of royal catchfly is one of the most effective things you can do, especially when paired with other red or tubular nectar plants.

3. Thrives in Hot, Dry Conditions

Thanks to its deep taproot and prairie heritage, royal catchfly is well adapted to hot summers and periodic drought. Once established in a well-drained site, it needs little supplemental water, making it ideal for low-water or xeric plantings and sunny spots that bake in summer.

4. Adds Structure and Drama

At 3–4 feet tall, royal catchfly adds height and drama to borders, prairie gardens, and mixed plantings. It works beautifully with ornamental grasses, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, blazing stars, and later-blooming asters and goldenrods. The strong vertical stems and bold color make it a natural focal point.

5. Supports Conservation and Native Biodiversity

Because royal catchfly is rare or declining in parts of its native range, growing it in gardens and restoration projects helps maintain genetic diversity and supports the hummingbirds and insects that depend on it. It’s a plant that offers both beauty and a tangible conservation benefit.

Planting Tips

Site Selection:
Choose a sunny, well-drained site. Slopes, berms, or raised beds work particularly well. Avoid low spots where water collects or areas with heavy, compacted clay that stays wet.

Soil Preparation:
If your soil is heavy, improve drainage by incorporating coarse sand, gravel, and organic matter, or consider creating a raised bed. In naturally sandy or gravelly soils, little preparation is needed beyond removing aggressive weeds.

Spacing:
Space plants about 12–18 inches apart. This allows enough room for clumps to expand to their typical 1–2 foot spread while still creating an impressive display when in bloom.

Watering:
Water thoroughly at planting and keep the soil lightly moist—not soggy—through the first growing season. Once the taproot is established, gradually reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.

Maintenance:

• Remove weeds that compete for water and light, especially in the first year.

• Deadhead if you want to reduce self-seeding or keep the look tidy; leave some seedheads if you want natural reseeding and winter structure.

• Cut stems back in late fall or early spring.

Unique Characteristics of Royal Catchfly That Make It Special

Royal catchfly has several distinctive traits that set it apart from other hummingbird plants.

Sticky Stems and “Catchfly” Name

The stems, leaves, and calyces often have sticky hairs that can trap small insects. While the exact ecological benefit is debated, this trait gave rise to the name “catchfly.” It may help deter certain pests or small crawling insects from easily reaching the flowers.

Deep Taproot and Longevity

Royal catchfly grows from a perennial crown atop a deep taproot. This structure allows it to access deeper soil moisture, tolerate drought, and persist for many years in the right conditions. It also means it’s less tolerant of transplanting once mature, reinforcing the value of choosing a good permanent site from the beginning.

One of Few Red Prairie Natives

There are very few truly red-flowered native prairie plants, which makes royal catchfly especially notable. Its presence instantly signals that you’ve included a specialty hummingbird plant and adds a color nearly impossible to replicate with other native wildflowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is royal catchfly native?

Yes. Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is native to parts of the central United States, especially around the Ozark region and nearby prairie and savanna habitats. It is considered rare or threatened in some states due to habitat loss.

Does royal catchfly attract hummingbirds?

Absolutely. Royal catchfly is one of the most hummingbird-oriented prairie plants. Its bright red, tubular flowers are specifically adapted for hummingbird pollination, and hummingbirds are frequent visitors when it’s in bloom.

How much sun does royal catchfly need?

Royal catchfly performs best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate some light partial shade, but flowering and overall vigor are strongest in sunny sites.

Is royal catchfly drought tolerant?

Yes. Once established, royal catchfly is quite drought tolerant thanks to its deep taproot. It prefers dry to medium soils and is better suited to lean, well-drained sites than to rich, constantly moist beds.

Can I grow royal catchfly in clay soil?

You can, but only if the clay drains well or you plant it on a slope or in a raised bed. Royal catchfly must have good drainage to avoid root and crown rot. In heavy, poorly drained clay, it’s better to amend the soil significantly or choose a different location.

Will royal catchfly come back every year?

Yes. Royal catchfly is a perennial that returns from its crown and taproot each year, provided conditions are suitable. It may also self-seed modestly in open, well-drained soil, especially in prairie-style plantings.

Conclusion

Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is a dazzling, high-impact native perennial that delivers intense red color, strong vertical form, and exceptional hummingbird value to sunny gardens. Its scarlet blooms stand out in any planting and serve as beacons for hummingbirds and large butterflies in mid to late summer.

By giving it full sun, excellent drainage, and a bit of patience while its taproot establishes, you’ll be rewarded with years of vivid color and pollinator activity. Whether you’re building a hummingbird garden, restoring a prairie patch, or simply looking for a truly special native wildflower, royal catchfly more than lives up to its regal name.