Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Pincushion Flower Plant Care
Scabiosa columbaria L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scabiosa columbaria, called the small scabious or dwarf pincushion flower, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the genus Scabiosa, native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, from Sweden to Angola. In the garden it is a short-lived deciduous perennial.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Pincushion Flower?
Water Pincushion Flower every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Pincushion Flower Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- 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
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Pincushion Flower?
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Scabiosa genus. Pincushion Flower is native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, from Sweden to Angola. Pincushion Flower is also known as Dove scabious, Columbine scabious, Small scabious.
Pincushion Flower displays a clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Pincushion Flower produces pincushion-like flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pincushion Flower?
Scabiosa columbaria requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Pincushion Flower Need?
Pincushion Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pincushion Flower Prefer?
Scabiosa columbaria grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Pincushion Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pincushion Flower?
Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Pincushion Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pincushion Flower?
Feed Pincushion Flower 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 Pincushion Flower?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in 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 Pincushion Flower?
Pincushion Flower can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Pincushion Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pincushion Flower, 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 Pincushion Flower?
Pincushion Flower 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 Pincushion Flower Need?
Pincushion Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pincushion Flower is native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, from Sweden to Angola. In cooler regions, grow Pincushion Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Pincushion Flower 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 Scabiosa genus — compare its care with other Scabiosa species on PlantoScan.
Scabiosa is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Pincushion Flower 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: Scabiosa columbaria L., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 99 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pincushion Flower, 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: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — 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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