Centaurea cyanus – Cornflower, Bachelor's Button

Explore Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Centaurea cyanus | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Cornflower, Bachelor's Button, Bluebottle

Family: Asteraceae

Appearance: A slender annual with narrow, gray-green leaves and bright blue, daisy-like composite flowers atop erect stems. Some varieties may exhibit pink or white blooms.

Type: Annual

Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A

Layer: Herbaceous

Root System: Shallow, fibrous root system

Height: 30–90 cm

Width: 15–30 cm

Lifespan: Annual

Growth Rate: Fast

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Hermaphroditic

Pollinator: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Toxicity: Not considered toxic

Centaurea cyanus | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

Native Range: Europe, especially the Mediterranean and temperate regions
Companionship: Commonly grows with cereals, poppies, and other annual wildflowers; suitable for wildflower meadows and pollinator strips
Invasive Range: Has naturalized in many temperate areas; can be weedy but not aggressively invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: Grown as an annual in all zones
Minimum Chill Hours Required: Not required

Resistance/Tolerance

Poor Soil: High tolerance
Drought: Moderate tolerance
Shade: Low tolerance
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: High tolerance
Maritime: Moderate tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Low tolerance

Thriving Conditions

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture: Prefers moderately moist, well-drained soil
Soil Type: Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including sandy and loamy types
Soil pH: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–8.0)

Propagation

Seeds: Easily propagated by direct seeding in early spring or autumn in mild climates
Cuttings: Not propagated via cuttings

Centaurea cyanus | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Petals are edible and often used as decorative additions in salads or herbal teas

Medicinal: Traditionally used for eye health and anti-inflammatory properties; mild astringent

Cosmetics: Occasionally used in natural skincare, especially eye lotions and toners

Animal Feed: Not a significant fodder plant

Fiber: Not utilized for fiber

Timber: Not applicable

Firewood: Not applicable

Wind Break: Not suitable

Fence: Not used as a barrier plant

Cover Crop: Sometimes included in cover crop mixes for biodiversity and pollinator support

Mulch: Can be chopped and dropped at end of season, though not a primary mulch species

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available

Pollinator Attractor: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

Pest Repellent: Not known for pest repellent properties

Wildlife Supporter: Supports pollinators and provides seeds for birds

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