Growing Safflower seed is both easy and rewarding. When sowing Safflower herb seeds outdoors, it should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last frost of the season. When growing yellow Safflower seeds indoors, the seed should be sown in peat pots about 8 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. The seedlings should be planted out with a spacing of 6 - 10 inches in a sunny part of the garden. Protection from rabbits may be needed.

Delightful Garden Plant

How To Grow From Seed

When sowing outdoors, plant at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last expected frost. If growing indoors, sow in peat pots about 8 weeks before final frost, and transplant outdoors after frost danger. These seeds germinate best in dry and well-drained soils. Make sure to keep moist until germination, which takes around 7-14 days. Sow 1-2 seeds per plant, and then thin emerged seedlings to about 6-10 inches. Plant in full sun, as safflower does best with plenty of light. Note that protection from rabbits may be necessary.

• Soil: well-drained with pH 6.0.-7.0
• Environment: full sun
• Plant spacing: 6-10 inches

Plant Information

Orange safflower is an annual flowering plant that grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. These plants grow up as very stiff and prickly barriers, and they have traditionally been planted around gardens as a wall against unwelcome critters.

• Bloom season: summer
• Bloom color: orange
• Height: 30-36 inches

Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius White) - Start Safflower seeds for this unique annual that is well-suited to sunny, hot conditions. Carthamus Safflower is a native of the Mediterranean, and it can be grown for beds and borders, containers, and cottages gardens. Easily grown from Carthamus Tinctorius seeds, this thistle-like plant produces lovely white, tubular flower heads during the summer months. The white Safflower plant has foliage that is thistle-like, but the prickliness is mild. Safflowers make excellent cut flowers for drying. The blooms, when dried for arrangements, are everlasting. These blooms also provide a source of white dyes for coloring silk and wool. The Carthamus Tinctorius herb can be used as a saffron substitute in rice dishes. Commercially, it is important as a source of good quality cooking oil.

How To Plant Safflower Seeds: When sowing white Safflower seeds outdoors, it should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last frost of the season. When growing the seed indoors, the seed should be sown in peat pots about 8 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. The seedlings should be planted out with a spacing of 6 - 10 inches in a sunny part of the garden. Protection from rabbits may be needed.

Delightful Garden Plant

How To Grow From Seed

When sowing outdoors, plant at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last expected frost. If growing indoors, sow in peat pots about 8 weeks before final frost, and transplant outdoors after frost danger. These seeds germinate best in dry and well-drained soils. Make sure to keep moist until germination, which takes around 7-14 days. Sow 1-2 seeds per plant, and then thin emerged seedlings to about 6-10 inches. Plant in full sun, as safflower does best with plenty of light. Note that protection from rabbits may be necessary.

• Soil: well-drained with pH 6.0.-7.0
• Environment: full sun
• Plant spacing: 6-10 inches

Plant Information

Orange safflower is an annual flowering plant that grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. These plants grow up as very stiff and prickly barriers, and they have traditionally been planted around gardens as a wall against unwelcome critters.

• Bloom season: summer
• Bloom color: orange
• Height: 30-36 inches