Larkspur in Zone 5a & 5b
Consolida ajacis
When to plant larkspur in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Larkspur doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 12–Apr 19 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 16–Jul 23 (~95 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Larkspur is one of the few flowers on this site that flatly refuses to be transplanted. It has to be direct-sown, and the seed won't germinate at all unless it's cold and kept dark, which puts it on the opposite schedule from most annuals people start indoors under lights. Get the timing right and it rewards you with tall, dense spires of bloom; get it wrong and the seed just sits in the ground doing nothing.
How larkspur fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Larkspur needs about 95 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Larkspur.
Where to buy larkspur seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing larkspur" 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 Larkspur in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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