Scabiosa columbaria aka Pigeon's Scabious

Taxonomy

Scabiosa columbaria, also known as the small scabious, dwarf pincushion flower, or pincushion flower, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the Caprifoliaceae family. Native to Europe, Africa, and western Asia, this short-lived deciduous perennial can be found in calcareous grasslands in its natural habitat. The plant has simple branched grey-green leaves, and pale lavender or blue multi-petalled flowers with 5 oblong petals that appear from summer to autumn on slender stems. It can grow up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall by 0.5 m (1.6 ft) wide, and prefers calcareous or sandy soil with few nutrients but sufficient access to sunlight. Pincushion flower is a rare houseplant that can thrive in direct light as long as it is less than 1 foot from a window and has well-draining soil.

Common names

Pigeon's Scabious, Pincushion Flower, Escabiosa

How to care for Pigeon's Scabious

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Pigeon's Scabious due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Pigeon's Scabious should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Pigeon's Scabious loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Pigeon's Scabious thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Escabiosa.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Region of origin

Pigeon's Scabious’s native range is Europe, including Britain, south and east from the Arctic circle to N. Africa, Siberia and W. Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia