Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace) in Zone 5a & 5b
Ammi majus
Yes, ammi (false Queen Anne's lace) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Apr 5–Apr 12 and plant out May 10–May 17.
When to plant ammi (false Queen Anne's lace) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Apr 5–Apr 12 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 18–Aug 25 (~100 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of ammi (false Queen Anne's lace) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- African DaisyMay 10–May 17
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)May 10–May 17
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)May 10–May 17
- California BluebellMay 10–May 17
Ammi looks so much like wild Queen Anne's lace that it's easy to mistake for the roadside weed, but it's grown deliberately here as an airy, lace-like cut flower, popular for softening a bouquet without competing with bolder blooms.
How ammi (false Queen Anne's lace) fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Ammi (false Queen Anne's lace) needs about 100 days from sowing to first bloom.
Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 15–Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | Aug 28–Sep 4 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | Sep 7–Sep 14 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 10–Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | Aug 23–Aug 30 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Apr 5–Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | Aug 18–Aug 25 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | Aug 3–Aug 10 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jul 19–Jul 26 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jul 3–Jul 10 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 11–Jan 18 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 26–Jun 2 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | May 10–May 17 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 27–Dec 4 | Jan 1–Jan 8 | Apr 11–Apr 18 |
Bloom dates are about 100 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for ammi (false Queen Anne's lace).
Where to buy ammi seeds
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Green Mist' ammi (Ammi visnaga) (best for denser, greener filler): Johnny's Selected Seeds describes this related Ammi species as a sturdy bouquet filler that complements any color scheme, with denser, greener flower heads than the flatter white lace of Ammi majus above. Buy: Botanical Interests Full notes
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing ammi (false Queen Anne's lace)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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