Cerinthe (Honeywort) in Zone 11a & 11b
Cerinthe major
When to plant cerinthe (honeywort) 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. Cerinthe (Honeywort) tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Nov 20–Nov 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 1–Jan 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 17–Mar 24 (~75 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.

Cerinthe, commonly called honeywort, doesn't look like a typical cut flower. Its waxy, blue-purple bracts have an almost succulent texture, more sculptural than floral, which is exactly why it's grown.
How cerinthe (honeywort) 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 Cerinthe (Honeywort).
Where to buy cerinthe seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cerinthe (honeywort)" 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 Cerinthe (Honeywort) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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