Safflower Carthamus tinctorius
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent (Near East). It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Safflower in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Safflower at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 11–14 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 130 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (oil), florets (colouring, "bastard saffron") |
| Native to | Domesticated in the Fertile Crescent (Near East) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Safflower toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Safflower
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Safflower
- How far apart should I plant Safflower?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Safflower need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Safflower need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Safflower?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Safflower flower?
- About 11–14 weeks after planting, for 3–4 weeks.
- Is Safflower 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. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Safflower?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Safflower. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- Natural Dyes: Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science (Cardon, 2007), Archetype Publications, London
Notes and assumptions
- Spiny, thistle-like heads of orange florets. Florets found in Tutankhamun’s tomb garlands; they dye red (carthamin, rouge in Japan) and yellow and colour food instead of saffron. Deep tap root makes it a dryland oilseed crop.
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
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus