Claytonia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 22nd Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Claytonia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Claytonia

Plant Characteristics: Claytonia, known for their delicate, pink or white flowers and succulent leaves, help to add a touch of elegance to spring gardens. Its ground-covering habit makes it a great choice for filling in bare spots.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. It thrives in cooler temperatures, making it perfect for spring planting.
General Care: Easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance. Regular watering and light fertilization will keep it flourishing throughout the season.
Tips for New Gardeners: Miner's lettuce is ideal for beginners due to its hardiness and low care requirements. Be mindful of overwatering and provide sufficient space for its spreading growth.

Mayflower, Miner's Lettuce, & Spring Beauty: Cultivation & Garden Use

Claytonia are small hardy perennials (sometimes annuals) that have succulent leaves.

They flower in early spring with pink or white petals. Other names for Clarkia include grass flower, Spring beauty and Mayflower.

Due to its small size of about 7 to 13 cm it makes an ideal plant for rockeries.

Claytonia perfoliata
Claytonia perfoliata - Miner's lettuce by Miguelvieira.

Claytonia megarhiza
Claytonia megarhiza by Brewbooks.

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Claytonia Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Miner's Lettuce, Mayflower, Spring Beauty, Good Morning Spring, Claytonia.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Hardy perennial.
Height: 3 to 8 inches (7 to 20 cm).
Native: North and Central America, Northeast Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Start of spring.
Flower Details: Pink, white. Long stems carrying multiple flowers.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Evergreen. Oval blades.
Sow Outside: 1/8 inch (3mm). Late Summer. Best results using fresh seed sown in flats, under glass in a shady location. Germination time two to three weeks. Transplant to the final location in autumn or the following spring. Spacing 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm).
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements: Shade. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.5. Good drainage with plenty of grit. Rich soils. Regular watering.
Family: Montiaceae.
Miscellaneous: Many species of Claytonia used to be in the Montia genus.

How to grow Mayflower - Claytonia

If growing Claytonia from seed it is best to do so outdoors. The seed should be sown at a depth of 3 mm in flats from fresh seed in the summer.

The flats should have moist soil and be in a shaded area, and covered with glass.

They take about 3 weeks to germinate. Seedlings of Mayflower (Claytonia species) should then be planted with a spacing of 10 cm in a shaded area of the garden that has rich, gritty and moist soil of pH 5 to 7.

Caring for Claytonia

It is important to keep the soil moist when growing Claytonia to prevent the plant dying.

As seeds are difficult to get, if you require more Claytonia plants then you should divide the plant very very carefully in the autumn.

Common Questions

How many members does the Claytonia genus have?

There are about 26 species in the Claytonia genus.

Do members of Claytonia make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Claytonia, known for its delicate flowers and edible leaves, is a delightful addition to gardens and landscapes.

Which Claytonia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Claytonia perfoliata (Miner's lettuce) and Claytonia sibirica (Candy flower) are often grown for their pretty flowers and edible qualities.

Are members of the Claytonia plant genus fragrant?

Claytonia species are not known for their fragrance, but for their aesthetic and culinary appeal.

What is the perfect location to grow Claytonia?

Claytonia thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Is Claytonia invasive in the USA?

Presently, Claytonia is not classified as invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Claytonia plants from my garden?

Claytonia plants can be gently uprooted from the soil to remove them from your garden.

Summary

The Claytonia genus, part of the Montiaceae family, is native to North America and Asia. Also known as miner's lettuce or spring beauty, these annual or perennial plants are recognized for their succulent leaves and small, star-shaped white or pink flowers that bloom in spring.

To grow Claytonia, plant them in a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in spring or autumn. Regular watering is necessary. They are often used in salad gardens, rock gardens, or as ground cover for their edible leaves and delicate blooms.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Claytonia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Sunflowers and Tulipa plants.

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