Carthamus (Safflower) in Zone 8a & 8b
Carthamus tinctorius
When to plant carthamus (safflower) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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. Carthamus (Safflower) tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Feb 25–Mar 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
| Estimated bloom | Jun 23–Jun 30 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2 ft.
Carthamus, better known as safflower, is a thistle-like cut flower historically grown as an oilseed and dye crop, with bright orange-yellow blooms that hold their color well once dried.
How carthamus (safflower) fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Carthamus (Safflower) needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Carthamus (Safflower).
Where to buy carthamus seeds
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 genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing carthamus (safflower)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%208b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Carthamus (Safflower) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest