Also known as Cornflower · 413 saves
Centaurea
Centaurea, the genus most gardeners know as cornflower. We track 11 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 11 most-saved Centaurea varieties
3 species of Centaurea
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Centaurea in Sow
Save the Centaurea you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Centaurea
Whats common across all Centaurea varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 11 most-grown of them.
The Centaurea year
- DeadheadJune–September91% of varieties
Snip spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming
- PlantMarch, April, May, October and November73% of varieties
Direct sow seeds in early spring or late fall for best results
- HarvestJune–September64% of varieties
Cut stems when flowers are half open for longest vase life
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Divide plants every 2-3 years to maintain vigor
- Plant in full sun to maximize the silver color of the foliage.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in soggy, waterlogged soil.
What goes wrong with Centaurea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curled leaves and sticky honeydew residue on the silvery foliage. | Wash off with a strong blast of water or apply insecticidal soap. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply a fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and stippled leaves under hot, dry conditions. | Apply insecticidal soap or miticide, and maintain adequate air circulation. |
| Leaf miners | Tunnel patterns on leaves | Use organic insecticides and remove affected foliage |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing lower leaves, and a mushy brown root system. | Improve soil drainage immediately, avoid overwatering, and plant in raised beds. |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery patches on leaf surfaces during humid weather. | Increase spacing for better air circulation and ensure the plant is in full sun. |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Centaurea
Seed
- Sow seeds outdoors in early spring after last frost.
- Keep soil moist for germination, which takes 7-14 days.
- Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart once established.
seed
- Tuck seeds 1/4 inch deep in prepared soil in early spring.
- Maintain consistent moisture for germination, which takes 7-14 days.
- Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart once established.
Centaurea questions
How many types of Centaurea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Centaurea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 413 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Centaurea grow in?
Across its varieties, Centaurea covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Centaurea bloom?
Most Centaurea varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Centaurea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.