Care of the plant Centaurea cachinalensis or Plectocephalus cachinalensis |
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The genus Centaurea, family Asteraceae, includes 700 species of herbaceous perennial or annual plants native to Africa, the Mediterranean region, Australia and America (South and North). Some species are: Centaurea cachinalensis, Centaurea cineraria, Centaurea cyanus, Centaurea moschata, Centaurea candidissima, Centaurea babylonica, Centaurea macrocephala. Scientific synonym: Plectocephalus cachinalensis. This species is native to Chile. They are evergreen plants that reach 70 cm (2.29 feet) in height. The leaves are broadly lobed, deep green or dark green, and feathery in appearance. They produce showy white or pink flowers. They can bloom from late winter to mid-summer. They are used in rockeries, on edges, in undergrowths, on dry slopes, in low maintenance gardens or in pots. Centaurea cachinalensis can grow in full sun exposure or in semi-shaded exposure receiving direct sun early or late in the day. They resist frosts down to -5 ºC (23 ºF). They can be grown on poor, sandy or rocky soils that have good drainage. They are resistant to drought so they need little watering. Wait until the soil has dried before watering. In winter they can keep up with seasonal rains. They do not need fertilizers. They tolerate formation pruning after flowering. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in a nursery. |
Images of the plant Centaurea cachinalensis or Plectocephalus cachinalensis |
 Centaurea cachinalensis  Centaurea cachinalensis  Centaurea cachinalensis |