Carthamus (Safflower) in Zone 10a & 10b
Carthamus tinctorius
When to plant carthamus (safflower) in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Carthamus (Safflower) tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Jan 2–Jan 9 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 30–Feb 6 |
| Estimated bloom | Apr 30–May 7 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2 ft.
Carthamus, better known as safflower, is a thistle-like cut flower historically grown as an oilseed and dye crop, with bright orange-yellow blooms that hold their color well once dried.
How carthamus (safflower) fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Carthamus (Safflower) needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Carthamus (Safflower).
Where to buy carthamus seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing carthamus (safflower)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Carthamus (Safflower) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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