Cornflowers are annual or short-lived perennial plants in the genus Centaurea of the family Asteraceae, native to Europe. The plants typically grow to a height of 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) and have bright blue, daisy-like flowers with a yellow center. The leaves are long and lance-shaped, and the plant often has a hairy stem. Cornflowers are drought-tolerant and are often used as a decorative plant in gardens and flower beds. They are also used in dried flower arrangements and as a natural dye.
Planning Your Garden With Cornflowers
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Cornflowers are annuals. |
| USDA Zone | Cornflowers are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Cornflowers are hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | Cornflowers typically take about 10-14 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown cornflower plant is between 12 and 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Cornflowers should be planted about 12 to 15 inches apart in well-drained soil with full sun. |
| Sun tolerance | Cornflowers are best grown in full sun, but they will tolerate some light shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Cornflowers are tolerant of full sun to partial shade. |
| Water requirements | Cornflowers prefer well-drained soils and should be watered regularly, but not too often. They prefer soils that are kept evenly moist, but not soggy. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage. During hot and dry spells, cornflowers may need to be watered more frequently. |
| Fertilizer | Cornflowers are a low-maintenance flower and do not require much fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) once a month during the growing season is usually sufficient. |
| Soil pH | Cornflowers prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Cornflowers are Popular
People like to grow cornflowers because they are beautiful and easy to grow. They are also drought tolerant and can attract beneficial insects to the garden. Cornflowers also have a long blooming season, making them an excellent choice for both ornamental and cutting gardens.
Companion Plants For Cornflowers
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for cornflowers include:
Common Pests For Cornflowers
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow cornflowers, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- thrips
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
