Cerinthe (Honeywort) in Zone 5a & 5b
Cerinthe major
When to plant cerinthe (honeywort) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 24–Jul 31 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Cerinthe (Honeywort) needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
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 5b 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 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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