30 Seeds Zanzibar Safflower Carthamus tinctorius Orange Flower Annual

Zanzibar Safflower is a striking annual prized for its vivid orange-red blooms and its historic use as a dye and oilseed plant. The thistle-like flowers stand atop sturdy stems and bring bold color and texture to sunny beds, borders, and cutting gardens.
This safflower works beautifully in pollinator-friendly plantings and dried arrangements, with each flower head producing a bounty of seeds. The young leaves and petals have traditional culinary uses, while the dried florets are often used as a natural dye source. Plant in full sun for best flowering.
Species: Carthamus tinctorius
Type: Annual
Plant Habit: Upright, branching
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy
Days to Harvest: 90-110 days
Zones: 2-11 (grown as annual)
Germination: 7-14 days
Sowing: Direct sow after last frost, 1/4 inch deep
Spacing: 6-12 inches
Notes: Drought tolerant once established