Photo: Franco Folini from San Francisco, USACC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Maltese Star-thistle Plant Care
Centaurea melitensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its silvery-gray, deeply lobed leaves, Centaurea melitensis is a striking addition to any garden. Originating from the Mediterranean region, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique foliage and ability to attract pollinators with its bright purple flowers.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Maltese Star-thistle?
Water Maltese Star-thistle every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Maltese Star-thistle Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Maltese Star-thistle?
Maltese Star-thistle (Centaurea melitensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Centaurea genus. Maltese Star-thistle is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa. Maltese Star-thistle is also known as Yellow Star-thistle, Toothed Star-thistle, Calcitrapa conferta.
Maltese Star-thistle displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Maltese Star-thistle produces showy, thistle-like flower heads in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Maltese Star-thistle?
Centaurea melitensis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Maltese Star-thistle Need?
Maltese Star-thistle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Maltese Star-thistle Prefer?
Centaurea melitensis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Maltese Star-thistle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Maltese Star-thistle?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Maltese Star-thistle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Maltese Star-thistle?
Feed Maltese Star-thistle every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Maltese Star-thistle?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Maltese Star-thistle?
Maltese Star-thistle can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue cornflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Maltese Star-thistle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Maltese Star-thistle, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Maltese Star-thistle?
Maltese Star-thistle is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 Maltese Star-thistle Need?
Maltese Star-thistle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Maltese Star-thistle is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Maltese Star-thistle 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 Centaurea genus — compare its care with other Centaurea species on PlantoScan.
Centaurea is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Maltese Star-thistle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Centaurea Species
Other Centaurea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Centaurea melitensis L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 917 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Maltese Star-thistle, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Franco Folini from San Francisco, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, 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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