Also known as Cornflower · 434 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
2 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
- DeadheadMay–August100% of varieties
Snip spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October82% of varieties
Direct sow seeds in early spring or late fall for best results
- HarvestMay–July73% 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 to retain soil moisture
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Divide plants every 2-3 years to maintain vigor
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Refrain from heavy fertilizing late in the season
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Centaurea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply a fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Leaf miners | Tunnel patterns on leaves | Use organic insecticides and remove affected foliage |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide as needed |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
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.
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity and wait 6 weeks for roots to develop.
Centaurea questions
How many types of Centaurea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Centaurea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 434 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.