Heirloom

Zanzibar

Carthamus tinctorius

Photo: Beta15 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sturdy, straight stems and branching flower clusters store well and can be used fresh or dried. Stems are easily air-dried for arrangements. Fresh, dark green foliage and geometric buds add structure to mixed bouquets. Great in combination with sunflowers. This strain is nearly thornless for easy harvest. Tufted thistle-like flowers with oval leaves. Fiery orange-and-gold petals are edible and sometimes used as a substitute for saffron. Also known as safflower.

Harvest

70-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2.5-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Zanzibar in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Zanzibar · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor to moderate fertility

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorOrange-gold

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Safflower blooms once per stem and doesn't rebound the way a cut-and-come-again zinnia does, but you can stagger your harvest window with two or three small sowings. Direct sow a first round in April, then a second in mid-May (zone 7); that spreads your bloom flush across roughly 4–6 weeks instead of having everything ripen at once. Don't push a third sowing past early June — Zanzibar needs 70–80 days to flower, and plants started too late will be racing the heat rather than finishing clean.

Skip indoor starts if you can. Safflower has a taproot that resents transplanting, and direct-sown plants typically catch up to transplants within two weeks anyway.

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Zanzibar (Carthamus tinctorius) flower. Light: Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 70. Difficulty: Easy.

Harvesting

Zanzibar reaches harvest at 70 - 80 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh Zanzibar flowers, store stems in a cool location (65-70°F) with high humidity, away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Keep in a clean vase with fresh water, changing water every 2-3 days; stems last 7-14 days. For preservation: (1) Air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a well-ventilated, dark space for 2-3 weeks for long-lasting arrangements. (2) Press individual flowers between parchment paper under weight for 1-2 weeks for flat botanical displays. (3) Dry in a dehumidifier or oven on low heat (120-150°F) for 4-6 hours for faster drying while retaining color.

History & Origin

Safflower, also false saffron, is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant in the family Asteraceae. It is one of the world's oldest crops; today, it is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds. Plants are 30 to 150 cm tall with globular flower heads having yellow, orange, or red flowers. Each branch will usually have from one to five flower heads containing 15 to 20 seeds per head. Safflower is native to arid environments having seasonal rain. It grows a deep taproot which enables it to thrive in such environments.

Advantages

+Nearly thornless stems make harvesting and handling remarkably easy and safe.
+Sturdy straight stems with excellent vase life work fresh or dried.
+Fiery orange-gold edible petals offer culinary and decorative dual-purpose appeal.
+Geometric buds and dark foliage add unique structure to mixed arrangements.
+Reliable 70-80 day maturity and easy growing difficulty suit most gardeners.

Considerations

-Requires well-draining soil or susceptible to root rot and fungal issues.
-Flowers attract aphids and spider mites requiring regular pest monitoring.
-Limited color range constrains design options for adventurous flower arrangers.

Companion Plants

Marigolds and nasturtiums are worth planting closest to Zanzibar safflower. Tagetes patula deters aphids through scent and draws in predatory wasps that knock back spider mite populations — both pests NC State Extension flags for safflower. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop, pulling aphids onto their own soft stems and off your safflower heads before the buds open. Alyssum and cosmos fill a similar insectary role with shallow roots that don't compete with safflower's taproot the way a heavy feeder would.

Black walnut is the plant to keep at a serious distance — juglone moves through the soil and stunts or kills a wide range of annuals, safflower included, often with no clear warning until plants just fail to thrive. Eucalyptus puts out comparable growth-inhibiting compounds through leaf litter and root exudate. Sunflowers draw on the same soil depth and nutrient pool as safflower; plant them on the south side and they'll shade out your crop before it ever hits 70 days.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Zinnia

Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides complementary height structure

Catnip

Repels mosquitoes, ants, and aphids through natural compounds

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Can inhibit growth through allelopathy and compete aggressively for nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, seed flies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in overly wet soil

Troubleshooting Zanzibar

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves coated in white powdery patches, usually starting on upper leaf surfaces around mid-summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — favored by warm days, cool nights, and poor airflow between plants
Crowded spacing under 12 inches that traps humidity around foliage

What to Do

1.Strip badly affected leaves and bin them — don't compost
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Next season, keep spacing at 15–18 inches and avoid overhead watering in the evening

Plants wilting and yellowing at the base despite adequate soil moisture, sometimes with dark discoloration at the crown

Likely Causes

Root rot — most often Pythium or Phytophthora species triggered by consistently waterlogged soil
Heavy clay soil or a low spot in the bed that doesn't drain after rain

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants; don't replant safflower in that spot this season
2.Amend the bed with coarse perlite or pine bark fines before next planting to open up drainage
3.Direct sow into raised rows so water sheds away from the crown — safflower handles dry spells fine once roots are established, so err on the dry side

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Zanzibar flowers last in a vase?▼

Zanzibar flowers typically last 7-14 days in fresh water when properly maintained. Change the water every 2-3 days, recut stems at an angle, and remove any foliage below the waterline. Store in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Air-dried arrangements can last months or even years with proper storage away from dust and moisture.

Is Zanzibar a good flower for beginners?▼

Yes, Zanzibar is excellent for beginners. It's an easy-to-grow variety that thrives in full sun with minimal care requirements. The nearly thornless stems make harvesting safe and comfortable, and the sturdy structure of the flowers means they're forgiving for first-time arrangement makers. The heirloom variety is reliable and produces abundant blooms.

When should I plant Zanzibar flowers?▼

Direct sow Zanzibar seeds after your last frost date when soil has warmed. In warm climates, you can sow in spring through early summer for continuous blooms. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days and reach harvest maturity in 70-80 days. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger passes.

Can you use Zanzibar petals as a saffron substitute?▼

Yes, Zanzibar (safflower) petals have a slight peppery flavor and golden-orange color that makes them a traditional, budget-friendly saffron substitute. The petals are edible and can color and flavor rice, broths, and other dishes. Use them in moderation as their flavor is milder than true saffron. Ensure flowers haven't been treated with pesticides if using for culinary purposes.

How do you dry Zanzibar flowers for arrangements?▼

Zanzibar flowers air-dry beautifully, making them ideal for dried arrangements. Bundle 5-10 stems together with twine and hang upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space with low humidity for 2-3 weeks. Alternatively, use a dehumidifier at 120-150°F for 4-6 hours for faster results. Once dry, they retain their geometric structure and striking orange-gold color for months or years.

What container size is needed to grow Zanzibar flowers?▼

Zanzibar flowers can be grown in containers, though larger pots (18-24 inches diameter minimum) work best to accommodate mature plants and their root systems. Use well-drained soil and ensure containers have drainage holes. Place in full sun and water regularly. Container-grown plants may produce fewer stems than ground-planted varieties but still perform well with proper care.