Image: AI generated
Devil's-bit Scabious Plant Care
Succisa pratensis Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Succisa pratensis, known as devil's-bit scabious or simply devil's-bit, is a flowering plant in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae, formerly included in the teasel family Dipsacaceae. It is common throughout northern Europe and western Asia in heathland, unimproved damp grassland and chalk or limestone grassland, where it is restricted to nutrient-poor soils.
Every 4–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Devil's-bit Scabious?
Water Devil's-bit Scabious every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Devil's-bit Scabious?
Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Succisa genus. Devil's-bit Scabious is also known as Scabious, Blue Buttons.
Devil's-bit Scabious displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Devil's-bit Scabious produces small, tubular purple flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Devil's-bit Scabious?
Succisa pratensis requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Devil's-bit Scabious Need?
Devil's-bit Scabious thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Devil's-bit Scabious Prefer?
Succisa pratensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Devil's-bit Scabious prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Devil's-bit Scabious?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Devil's-bit Scabious to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Devil's-bit Scabious?
Feed Devil's-bit Scabious 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 Devil's-bit Scabious?
Divide and 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 Devil's-bit Scabious?
Devil's-bit Scabious can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to devil's-bit scabious plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Devil's-bit Scabious Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Devil's-bit 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 Devil's-bit Scabious?
Devil's-bit Scabious is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Devil's-bit Scabious Need?
Devil's-bit Scabious grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Devil's-bit 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 Succisa genus — compare its care with other Succisa species on PlantoScan.
Succisa is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Devil's-bit 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: Succisa pratensis Moench, family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Methodus : 489 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Devil's-bit 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, 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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