Also known as Pincushion Flower · 638 saves
Scabiosa
Scabiosa, the genus most gardeners know as pincushion flower. We track 16 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Scabiosa varieties
Browse all 16 Scabiosa varieties →
3 species of Scabiosa
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Scabiosa in Sow
Save the Scabiosa you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Scabiosa
Whats common across all Scabiosa varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them.
The Scabiosa year
- DeadheadMay–September94% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March56% of varieties
Cut back any dead foliage to the basal rosette before new growth starts.
- DivideMarch50% of varieties
Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigor, as they can be short-lived.
Do
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot ❌
- Refrain from excessive fertilizing which can cause legginess
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Scabiosa
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters on buds and stem tips | Dislodge with water; encourage predators |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply sulfur-based fungicide or organic neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Powdery Mildew | White film on foliage in humid or crowded conditions | Space plants for air movement and water at the base |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting despite adequate watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
Making more Scabiosa
Seed
- Tuck seeds lightly into prepared soil and water gently.
- Maintain consistent moisture for 2-3 weeks until germination.
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Cuttings
- Select healthy non-flowering stems in late summer.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks until rooted.
Scabiosa questions
How many types of Scabiosa are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Scabiosa varieties. The most popular — ranked by 638 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Scabiosa grow in?
Across its varieties, Scabiosa 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 Scabiosa bloom?
Most Scabiosa varieties bloom in mid-summer, early summer, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Scabiosa 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.