How to Grow Cornflower in Australia
A cool-season flower crop for the home garden
Growing Cornflower at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$8-12/punnet on dried edible flowers. Self-seeds every year.
This guide covers when to plant Cornflower in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Cornflower is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Blue Boy
Classic true-blue cornflower. The standard for edible flowers and dried arrangements.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's, Yates
Black Ball
Deep maroon-black flowers. Dramatic on the plate. Same mild flavour.
Try: Eden Seeds, Diggers, Mr Fothergill's
Position and Soil
Give Cornflower full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 20cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 20 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 20 degrees.
Centaurea cyanus. Brilliant blue edible flowers. Classic cottage garden annual. Petals have a mild, slightly sweet, clove-like flavour. Attracts bees and beneficial insects. Self-seeds readily. Direct sow in autumn for spring flowers.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 3 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Cornflower is typically ready to harvest in around 70 days (about 2 months). Fresh flowers use within 2 days. Dry petals store for months in a sealed jar.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, cornflower is good petals scattered over salads and desserts, dried for herbal tea blends, used as a natural food colouring and added to gin botanicals. Nutritionally: contains anthocyanins antioxidants and traditional anti-inflammatory herb.
Companion Planting
Cornflower grows well alongside Wildflowers and Grains. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Cornflower Growing
Add cornflower to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cornflower in Australia?
Cornflower is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May and June. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Cornflower take to grow?
Cornflower is generally ready to harvest in around 70 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Cornflower in a pot?
Yes. Cornflower grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Cornflower need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Cornflower in the Plant Library
