Bachelor Button
Seed # 203
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 203
- Seed Name
- Bachelor Button
- Variety
- Black
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant Type
- Dark-flowered bachelor's button / cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 15
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 1
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Apr 7 – Apr 14
- Direct Sow
- Mar 15 – Jun 1
- Transplant
- May 6 – May 31
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 4 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 0 weeks
- Germination Days
- 7–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- 14 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 60-65°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4 in
- Plant Spacing
- 6-9 in
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- 6-9 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Keep moist during establishment; moderate water afterward
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained soil; tolerates medium to low fertility
- Minimum Container Size
- 8–12+ in deep
- Plant Height
- Not recorded
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Cut Flower Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Larkspur | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Rare Seeds; San Diego Seed Company; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow preferred; may also start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow about Mar 20 – May 15; late-summer sowing can establish a fall crop
Germination Time: About 7–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 65–80 days to bloom; exact black cultivar is not stated
Container Friendly: Yes, 8–12+ in deep
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; bees and other pollinators
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Petals of correctly identified Centaurea cyanus are edible; primarily ornamental
Perennial?: No; annual, but often self-seeds
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks in spring; leave some seed heads if natural reseeding is wanted.
Zone 6B Notes: Best in cool spring/early-summer weather; heat shortens bloom.
Companion Plants: Poppies, larkspur, calendula and other cool-season/cottage flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Exact black cultivar is not stated, so timing is based on Centaurea cyanus generally. Can self-seed; taller plants may need support.
Sources: Rare Seeds: https://www.rareseeds.com/blog/post/how-to-grow-bachelor-s-button | San Diego Seed Company: https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/flowers/bachelor-button-seeds/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
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Zone 6B: Direct sow during cool spring weather. Plants tolerate light frost and perform best before intense summer heat.
Germination: Cover seed lightly and maintain moisture until germination.
Harvest: Harvest blooms at one-quarter to one-half open for bouquets. Petals are edible.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to mature and dry. Nearby Centaurea cyanus colors can cross.
Special Care: The packet says only 'Black,' so the exact cultivar is not assumed. Commercial dark forms such as Black Ball and Black Button are nearly black to deep burgundy-purple, but cultivar-specific maturity and height are left null.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/centaurea-bachelors-button/centaurea-key-growing-information.html — species-level germination, sowing, spacing, soil, harvest, edible-flower use and annual lifecycle
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/flowers/centaurea-bachelors-button/black-button-centaurea-seed-3435.html — documented nearly black Centaurea cyanus flower type and cut-flower/edible-flower use
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