Carthamus (Safflower) in Zone 11a & 11b
Carthamus tinctorius
When to plant carthamus (safflower) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b 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 | Dec 4–Dec 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 1–Jan 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Apr 1–Apr 8 (~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 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Carthamus (Safflower).
Where to buy carthamus seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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 11b 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 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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