Photo: en:User:Saranphat.chaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Centaurea angustifolia Plant Care
Centaurea angustifolia Schrank
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Centaurea montana, the perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, bachelor's button, montane knapweed or mountain bluet, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, endemic to Europe. It is widespread and common in the more southerly mountain ranges of Europe, but is rarer in the north. It escapes from gardens readily, and has thereby become established in the British Isles, Scandinavia and North America. This plant has become an invasive species in British Columbia, Canada.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Centaurea angustifolia?
Water Centaurea angustifolia 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 Centaurea angustifolia Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Centaurea angustifolia?
Centaurea angustifolia (Centaurea angustifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Centaurea genus. Centaurea angustifolia is native to Europe. Centaurea angustifolia is also known as Centaurea carpathica, Centaurea caucasica, Centaurea chlorantha.
Centaurea angustifolia displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Centaurea angustifolia produces showy, thistle-like flower heads in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Centaurea angustifolia?
Centaurea angustifolia 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 Centaurea angustifolia Need?
Centaurea angustifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Centaurea angustifolia Prefer?
Centaurea angustifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Centaurea angustifolia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Centaurea angustifolia?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Centaurea angustifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Centaurea angustifolia?
Feed Centaurea angustifolia 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 Centaurea angustifolia?
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 Centaurea angustifolia?
Centaurea angustifolia 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 Centaurea angustifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Centaurea angustifolia, 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 Centaurea angustifolia?
Centaurea angustifolia 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 Centaurea angustifolia Need?
Centaurea angustifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Centaurea angustifolia is native to Europe. In cooler regions, grow Centaurea angustifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Centaurea angustifolia 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.
Centaurea angustifolia 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 angustifolia Schrank, family Asteraceae (first published in Baier. Fl. ii. 376. 1789) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Centaurea angustifolia, 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: en:User:Saranphat.cha, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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