🌻 Safflower
Carthamus tinctorius
oilseeds
annual
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
low (very drought-tolerant)
🗺️ Zones
[3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
🧪 Soil pH
6.0-8.0
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, tolerates poor
📏 Spacing
6-8 inches
📐 Height
2-4 ft
⏱️ Maturity
110-140 days
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (4)
Nitrogen source for safflower's nutrient needs
Both orange-yellow dye and medicinal flowers
Both drought-tolerant; different root depths
Both ancient oilseed crops; similar growing conditions
⚠️ Keep Apart (0)
No known enemies listed.
📝 Growing Notes
The poor man's saffron , dried petals color food golden yellow and add a mild flavor. The seeds produce a neutral, healthy cooking oil (high in monounsaturated fat). Spiky, thistle-like orange-yellow flowers. Extremely drought-tolerant , grown in the world's driest regions.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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