How to grow Cornflower in Australia
Sow cornflowers direct in full sun in free-draining soil of modest fertility, as rich ground gives floppy growth. Water while young, then they tolerate dry spells.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 3 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- Time to harvest: 70 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to June | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to June | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to June | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to June | |
| Adelaide & SA | March to June | |
| Perth & WA | March to June | |
| Tasmania | March and April, September and October | Sow Sep to Oct or Mar to Apr. Autumn sowings overwinter for early flowers. |
| Canberra & ACT | March and April, September and October | Sow Mar to Apr to overwinter for early flowers, or Sep to Oct. |
| North Queensland | April to June | Sow Apr to Jun for dry season flowers. |
| Darwin & Top End | May and June | Sow May to Jun for dry season flowers. April is still too humid. |
Varieties
- Blue Boy
- Black Ball
Companion planting
Good companions
- Wildflowers
- Grains
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the flowers as they fully open and the colour is brightest. Regular cutting and deadheading keeps new buds forming through the season.
Storage
Fresh flowers use within 2 days. Dry petals store for months in a sealed jar.