Photo: en:User:Saranphat.chaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Cyanus mollis Plant Care
Centaurea mollis Waldst. & Kit.
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 Cyanus mollis?
Water Cyanus mollis 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 Cyanus mollis 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 Cyanus mollis?
Cyanus mollis (Centaurea mollis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Centaurea genus. Cyanus mollis is native to Europe. Cyanus mollis is also known as Cyanus montanus.
Cyanus mollis displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Cyanus mollis produces showy, thistle-like flower heads in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cyanus mollis?
Centaurea mollis 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 Cyanus mollis Need?
Cyanus mollis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cyanus mollis Prefer?
Centaurea mollis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Cyanus mollis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cyanus mollis?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Cyanus mollis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cyanus mollis?
Feed Cyanus mollis 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 Cyanus mollis?
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 Cyanus mollis?
Cyanus mollis 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 Cyanus mollis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cyanus mollis, 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 Cyanus mollis?
Cyanus mollis 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 Cyanus mollis Need?
Cyanus mollis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cyanus mollis is native to Europe. In cooler regions, grow Cyanus mollis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Cyanus mollis 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.
Cyanus mollis 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 mollis Waldst. & Kit., family Asteraceae (first published in Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 3: 243, t. 219 (1806-1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cyanus mollis, 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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