Angelica in Zone 5a & 5b
Angelica archangelica
Yes, angelica grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside Apr 19–Apr 26.
When to plant angelica in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 19–Apr 26 |
| Estimated harvest | About a year after planting |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-8 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of angelica in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- DillMay 3–May 10
- CarawayApr 19–Apr 26
- ChervilApr 26–May 3
- ChivesApr 26–May 3
- HorehoundApr 26–May 3
- Milk ThistleApr 26–May 3
Angelica is a dramatic plant for an herb bed, a biennial that can reach 6 to 8 feet tall in its second year, with huge compound leaves and umbrella-shaped flower heads. Historically its candied stems were a fixture of cake decoration, the green, sugar-crusted strips sometimes still found on old-fashioned fruitcake.
How angelica fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Angelica takes about a year from planting to first harvest, so it spans more than one growing season.
Angelica 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 | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | About a year after planting |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | About a year after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | About a year after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | About a year after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | About a year after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | About a year after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for angelica.
Where to buy angelica seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's angelica seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing angelica" 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 Angelica in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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