Skip to main content
Skip to plant details

Singleflower KnapweedCentaurea nervosa

Also known as Plume Knapweed

  • Category: Ornamental
  • Sunlight: Full Sun
  • Water: Moderate
  • Temperature: Moderate

Centaurea nervosa, or singleflower knapweed, is a perennial herb known for its solitary, showy flower heads, offering vibrant color to gardens and natural landscapes.

Photograph © Thanasis Papanikolaou · CC-BY-NC

Singleflower Knapweed Care Summary

At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data

Light Requirements

Full Sun

100% intensity

Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.

Watering Needs

Moderate

50% intensity

Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce in winter.

Soil

Well-drained

50% intensity

Temperature Tolerance

Moderate

50% intensity

Prefers moderate temperatures; can withstand some frost.

Fertilizer Needs

Low

25% intensity

Appreciate occasional feeding, especially in poor soil.

Singleflower Knapweed Toxicity

Safety information from plant toxicity data

Toxicity details for Singleflower Knapweed
AttributeValue
Toxic for humansNo

0/5 intensity

Toxic for petsNo

0/5 intensity

EdibleNo

Singleflower Knapweed Quick Facts

Key traits and growing stats from plant data

Plant Category
Ornamental
Plant Place Type
Garden, Pot
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Height
0.4-0.8 m
Spread
0.3-0.5 m
Growth Rate
Moderate
Dormancy
Yes
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Simple
Flower Size
5-8 cm
Optimal Sunlight Lux
60000

Care guide for Singleflower Knapweed

Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data

Water

Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry periods. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Reduce watering in autumn and winter, providing just enough to prevent the soil from becoming completely parched. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding. Cut back the plant in late autumn or early spring to remove dead or damaged stems and to shape the plant.

This also helps maintain a tidy appearance.

Propagation

Propagate by seeds sown in spring, either indoors or directly outdoors after the last frost. Division of established clumps in spring or autumn is another effective method.

Ensure new plants receive adequate moisture and are protected from extreme conditions.

Repotting

Established plants are generally best left undisturbed in their preferred location. If repotting is necessary, typically for container-grown specimens, do so in spring before new growth begins.

Use a well-draining potting mix and a pot only slightly larger than the current one.

Identify plants like this with ePlant

Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.

Try for Free

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.

Northern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · JulPeak fruit · Aug
FloweringFruiting
02468JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecActivity intensityMonths98
Southern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · MayPeak fruit · Jul
FloweringFruiting
02468JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecActivity intensityMonths98

Singleflower Knapweed Names & Synonyms

Common names and botanical synonyms

Common Names

  • Plume Knapweed
  • Singleflower Knapweed

Synonyms

  • Jacea nervosa (Willd.) Á.Löve & D.Löve

Singleflower Knapweed Taxonomy

Botanical classification

Taxonomic classification of Singleflower Knapweed
RankName
kingdomPlantae
divisionTracheophyta
classMagnoliopsida
orderAsterales
familyAsteraceae
genusCentaurea
speciesCentaurea nervosa

Singleflower Knapweed FAQs

Answers based on plant encyclopedia data

What are the ideal growing conditions for Centaurea nervosa?

Centaurea nervosa prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established.

How tall does singleflower knapweed typically grow?

Singleflower knapweed usually reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm.

When does Centaurea nervosa bloom?

Bloom typically occurs from late spring through summer.

Is Centaurea nervosa invasive?

While related to some invasive knapweeds, Centaurea nervosa is not generally considered invasive in most regions.

How should I care for Centaurea nervosa after flowering?

Deadheading spent flower stalks can encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding if desired.