Grecian windflower (Anemonoides blanda)

Photo: Kostas ZontanosCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Grecian windflower Plant Care

Anemonoides blanda (Schott & Kotschy) Holub

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

These delicate, fern-like leaves of this plant originate from woodlands in southern Europe. Plant collectors are drawn to Anemonoides blanda for its captivating star-shaped, pale blue flowers that brighten up shady areas in early spring.

🌼Perennials
Water

Every 3–7 days

Light

Partial to full shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Grecian windflower?

Plant Grecian windflower in partial to full shade (USDA zones 5a–8b) and water a young shrub every 3–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Grecian windflower Native To?

Native range56 countries

What Is the Grecian windflower?

Grecian windflower (Anemonoides blanda) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Anemonoides genus. Grecian windflower is native to southeastern Europe and the Middle East. Grecian windflower is also known as Grecian anemone, Balkan anemone.

Grecian windflower displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Grecian windflower produces delicate, daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Grecian windflower?

Water a young or newly planted Grecian windflower every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 3–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Grecian windflower Need?

Grecian windflower thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Grecian windflower in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Partial to full shade

100–500 lux

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Grecian windflower Prefer?

Anemonoides blanda tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Grecian windflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Grecian windflower?

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Grecian windflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Grecian windflower?

Feed Grecian windflower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Grecian windflower?

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Grecian windflower is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Grecian windflower?

Grecian windflower can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Grecian windflower?

Prune Grecian windflower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Grecian windflower in Winter?

Grecian windflower is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Grecian windflower?

Grecian windflower can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apennine anemone plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Grecian windflower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic if ingested, may cause skin irritation

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Grecian windflower?

Grecian windflower is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Grecian windflower Need?

Grecian windflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Grecian windflower is native to southeastern Europe and the Middle East.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 5a – 8b

Keep exploring plants

Grecian windflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Anemonoides genus — compare its care with other Anemonoides species on PlantoScan.

Anemonoides is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.

Grecian windflower copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

More Anemonoides Species

Other Anemonoides species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Anemonoides blanda (Schott & Kotschy) Holub, family Ranunculaceae (first published in Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 8: 166 (1973)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Grecian windflower is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Kostas Zontanos, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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