About
Carthamus tinctorius is an upright, branched annual that can reach up to 60 cm in height. It features spiny foliage and produces bright orange or yellow flower heads resembling thistles, which are accompanied by prominent green bracts.
About the genus
Carthamus includes both annual and perennial species, characterized by their pinnately lobed leaves that have spiny edges. In summer, they produce flower heads that resemble thistles, typically in shades of orange or yellow.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- W Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any light, well-drained soil in full sun
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat from early to late spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free