Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a biennial vegetable in the Apiaceae family. It grows 25–40 cm (10–16 in) tall and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.
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Carrot at a glance
| Type | Biennial vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 cm (4–6 in) |
| Spacing | 8 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–60 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 80 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: roots |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Carrot toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Carrot roots are edible and non-toxic to pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Carrot
Good neighbours
- good With Onion: Interplanted onions can mask carrot scent from carrot fly; studies show a small effect that needs about 4 onion rows per carrot row. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Dill: Mature dill can cross-pollinate with carrot family seed crops and shares carrot fly; young dill near carrots is fine. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Carrot fly: Carrot fly also attacks parsnip, celery and parsley; mesh or barriers protect them all. Evidence B
Questions about Carrot
- How far apart should I plant Carrot?
- About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 cm (4–6 in).
- Does Carrot need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Carrot need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Carrot?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Carrot flower?
- About 52–60 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.
- Is Carrot poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Carrot roots are edible and non-toxic to pets.
- What grows well with Carrot?
- Interplanted onions can mask carrot scent from carrot fly; studies show a small effect that needs about 4 onion rows per carrot row.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Grown as an annual crop; flowers only in second year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Parsley Petroselinum crispum
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Dill Anethum graveolens
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
- Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica