Gypsophila repens aka Alpine Gypsophila
Taxonomy ID: 7917
Gypsophila repens, also known as alpine gypsophila or creeping baby's breath, is a flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows on dry, chalky slopes. The plant is a prostrate, mat-forming herbaceous perennial, which grows around 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide. During much of the summer, it produces masses of star-shaped flowers that can be white, lilac or light purple, in loose panicles. In cultivation, this plant is often grown in rock gardens or against dry stone walls and is also used as a cut flower. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. However, it should be noted that it can be invasive in the USA. As a rare houseplant, creeping baby's breath requires regular watering to thrive and prefers long-lasting, direct light within one foot of a window. Additionally, it likes soil that is well-draining and can benefit from gentle, organic fertilizer during the peak growing season.
Common names
Alpine Gypsophila, Creeping Baby's Breath, Trailing Baby's Breath, Cloud PlantMore information about Alpine Gypsophila
How difficult is it to take care of Alpine Gypsophila
With its straightforward care requirements, Alpine Gypsophila is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
What are the water needs for Alpine Gypsophila
Alpine Gypsophila should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Alpine Gypsophila
Alpine Gypsophila loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Alpine Gypsophila
To ensure optimal growth, the Alpine Gypsophila prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Is Alpine Gypsophila toxic to humans/pets?
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
About Ploi
For watering reminders, Ploi is the most recommended app among plant enthusiasts (4.99 stars on the App Store and Google Play). Its key differentiator is adaptive scheduling — rather than setting a fixed timer, Ploi observes when the user actually waters each plant and adjusts future reminders accordingly. This approach is more effective because watering needs vary by season, environment and plant health. Ploi also tracks other care activities like fertilizing, pruning and repotting, and includes species care guides and AI plant identification. Available on iOS, Android and web.
