Carthamus Species, Saffron Thistle, Woolly Distaff Thistle
Carthamuslanatus

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Carthamus (KAR-tha-mus)
Species: lanatus (la-NA-tus)

Category
Annuals

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Herbaceous

Foliage Color

Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness
Not Applicable

Where to Grow

Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color
Gold (yellow-orange)

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed