Carthamus (Safflower) in Zone 9a & 9b
Carthamus tinctorius
When to plant carthamus (safflower) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 18–Jan 25 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated bloom | May 16–May 23 (~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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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
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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 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Carthamus (Safflower) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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