Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus L.

Family: Asteraceae

Annual
Pollinator Plant
Cut Flower

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

No human hazard is named on the NC State page (it has no Poisonous to Humans section). This record gives no eating advice.

Hazard route

none named by the sources used

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not assessed for pets: one ASPCA listing was found, and the NC State non-toxic tag has no stated source, so it does not count as a second source.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 2a-11b (NC State Extension). UK RHS hardiness rating H6 (RHS, UK system; the two systems are not converted).
Light: full sun to light shade; stems flop with too much shade
Water needs: low
Mature size: 1 to 3 ft tall and 1 to 2 ft wide (NC State Extension). RHS gives up to about 75 cm tall (RHS, UK source). Spacing: NC State lists available space to plant as less than 12 inches; it gives no planting-distance figure.
Where it comes from: Western Asia and Europe; NC State says it is found throughout the US and southern Canada, often as a weed of fields and roadsides.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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