Carthamus tinctorius

RHS Plant Profile
false saffron

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false saffron Dorling Kindersley 2003
false saffron RHS

Other common names

American saffron, bastard saffron, dyer's saffron, fake saffron, rouge plant, safflower, safflower oil plant, saffron thistle

Annual Biennial
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An erect, branching annual to 60cm, with spiny leaves and vivid orange or yellow, thistle-like flower-heads with prominent green bracts

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Carthamus can be annuals or perennials, with pinnately lobed, spiny-toothed leaves and thistle-like orange or yellow flower-heads in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any light, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat from early to late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free