Echinops (Globe Thistle) in Zone 9a & 9b
Echinops ritro
Yes, echinops (globe thistle) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 28–Jan 4 and plant out Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant echinops (globe thistle) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 28–Jan 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| 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 9b
These go outside within two weeks of echinops (globe thistle) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Feb 22–Mar 1
- AmaryllisFeb 22–Mar 1
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Feb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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 9b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 →
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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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Echinops (Globe Thistle) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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