Caucasian Scabious Plant Care
Lomelosia caucasica (M.Bieb.) Greuter & Burdet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lomelosia caucasica, the Caucasian pincushion flower, pincushion-flower or Caucasian scabious, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to the Caucasus, north eastern Turkey, and northern Iran. Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and broad, it is a clump-forming perennial with grey-green, divided leaves.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Caucasian Scabious?
Plant Caucasian Scabious in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Caucasian Scabious Native To?
What Is the Caucasian Scabious?
Caucasian Scabious (Lomelosia caucasica) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Lomelosia genus. Caucasian Scabious is native to the Caucasus, north eastern Turkey, and northern Iran. Caucasian Scabious is also known as Pincushion Flower.
Caucasian Scabious displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Caucasian Scabious produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.
What Light Does the Caucasian Scabious Need?
Caucasian Scabious thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Caucasian Scabious?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Caucasian Scabious to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Caucasian Scabious?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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 Do You Prune a Caucasian Scabious?
Prune Caucasian Scabious 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 Caucasian Scabious in Winter?
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 Caucasian Scabious?
Caucasian Scabious can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lomelosia graminifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Caucasian Scabious Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Caucasian Scabious, 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 Caucasian Scabious?
Caucasian Scabious is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Caucasian Scabious 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 Lomelosia genus — compare its care with other Lomelosia species on PlantoScan.
Lomelosia is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Caucasian Scabious thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lomelosia caucasica (M.Bieb.) Greuter & Burdet, family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Willdenowia 15: 73 (1985)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Caucasian Scabious, 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.
- 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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