Cineraria Growing Guide

Centaurea cineraria

Cineraria

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Cineraria tolerates light frost with ease, but can be damaged by hard freezes. Where winters are mild, cineraria can be grown as a winter annual or short-lived perennial.

Feeding

Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.

Companions

The luminous silvery leaves of cineraria make it a valuable neutral plant for separating bright colours, or framing showy shrubs like roses. Dwarf types make good edging plants for beds and containers.

Spacing

Single Plants: 20cm (7") each way (minimum)
Rows: 20cm (7") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow tiny cineraria seeds atop moist seed starting mix and gently press them into the surface. Most gardeners buy cineraria seedlings, which are widely available as bedding plants. Allow 30cm (12 inches) between tall varieties such as ‘Silver Lace’.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Cineraria plants that survive winter produce clusters of small yellow flowers in spring. The flowers are usually clipped off to encourage the plants to develop new leaves. The light-catching gray foliage of cineraria makes it a good choice for areas used in the evening.

Harvesting

Snip off blossoms and old leaves to keep plants looking neat. In autumn gather and dry perfect leaves before the plants are damaged by freezing weather.

Troubleshooting

Too much water or very high humidity can occasionally lead to problems with diseases.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Cineraria