ExplorePlants

baby's-breath

Gypsophila paniculata

Baby's breath is a delicate flower that looks like tiny white clouds! It often grows in gardens and is used in bouquets to make them look even prettier.

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The baby's-breath has a delicate, airy appearance with countless tiny, cloud-like white or pale pink flowers. Its slender, branching stems create a misty, voluminous shape, making it look like a floral cloud.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusGypsophila
baby's-breath
flowering trait badgeornamental trait badgecluster_flower trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
baby's-breath

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Its sap was once used in soaps and shampoos, like a natural cleaner!

Its scientific name means 'gypsum loving' because it grows in chalky soils!

One baby's-breath plant can produce thousands of tiny, star-shaped flowers!

Sometimes it's called 'million stars' or 'bride's veil' for its cloud-like beauty!

Special abilities

Ability

Drought Defender

Baby's-breath can thrive in dry, sandy soils thanks to its deep roots that reach underground water to survive.

Ability

Bloom Power

Baby's-breath has a long blooming period, producing many tiny flowers to attract pollinators over time to reproduce.

Ability

Seed Spreader

Baby's-breath has tiny, lightweight seeds that are easily carried by the wind to spread far and wide.

Measurements & details

Height
60-120 cm
Spread
60-90 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

A generalist pollinator attracted to the small flowers.

pollinates

Small White butterfly

Pieris rapae

Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify baby's-breath?

The easiest way to identify baby's-breath is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is baby's-breath?

60-120 cm

How wide does baby's-breath spread?

60-90 cm

How big are the flowers on baby's-breath?

0.5-1 cm

When does baby's-breath bloom?

Late spring to summer

Is baby's-breath edible?

No

Is baby's-breath toxic?

Mild

What is baby's-breath's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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