Echinops (Globe Thistle) in Zone 6a & 6b
Echinops ritro
Yes, echinops (globe thistle) grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Mar 7–Mar 14 and plant out May 2–May 9.
When to plant echinops (globe thistle) in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 7–Mar 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 2–May 9 |
| Estimated bloom | About a year after planting |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2.5-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of echinops (globe thistle) in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 2–May 9
- MarigoldMay 2–May 9
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 2–May 9
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 2–May 9
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 2–May 9
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 2–May 9
Echinops, or globe thistle, is a perennial thistle relative grown for its perfectly round, metallic-blue flower globes, a shape that reads as almost artificial and holds up beautifully as a dried flower.
How echinops (globe thistle) fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Echinops (globe thistle) takes about a year from planting to first bloom, so it spans more than one growing season.
Echinops (Globe Thistle) planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | About a year after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | About a year after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | About a year after planting |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | About a year after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | About a year after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | About a year after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | About a year after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for echinops (globe thistle).
Where to buy echinops seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries echinops seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing echinops (globe thistle)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%206b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Echinops (Globe Thistle) in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest