Inhabits many soil types. Throughout California, except for the wettest areas of the northwest and driest regions of the Great Basin and Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Known populations in all counties except Calaveras, Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Mariposa, Mendocino, Sierra, and Trinity. Plants usually produce small quantities of viable seed. Seed heads mostly remain closed.
Seeds disperse passively near the parent plant or with the seed head.
Scarification, fluctuating temperatures, and alternating light and dark periods increase germination. Seed can remain viable about 2-3 years. Above ground removal of plants encourages new shoots to sprout from rhizomes. Shallow cultivation can severe roots and encourages spread. Refer to the Flower Head Comparison of White, Pink, or Purple-flowered Centaurea and Related Species Table for comparison.