Cosmic Purple Carrot
Daucus carota 'Cosmic Purple'
A stunning hybrid carrot that produces 7-inch roots with deep purple skin and bright orange cores that create beautiful rings when sliced. This All-America Selections winner combines exceptional sweetness with eye-catching color, making it perfect for both fresh eating and adding visual drama to dishes. The unique bicolor appearance and crisp texture make it a favorite among gardeners looking to grow something truly special.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cosmic Purple Carrot in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 root-vegetable →Zone Map
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Cosmic Purple Carrot · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed.
Harvesting
Small, dry, and ribbed with bristly hairs. The compound umbel of fruits folds inward to form a roundish shape that can be blown by the wind and roll across the ground dropping seeds.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds are edible. The young fleshy roots can be cooked or eaten raw, the flower clusters can be french-fried to produce a carrot-flavored dish, the aromatic seed is used as a flavoring in stews, etc. The dried roasted roots are ground into a powder and are used for making coffee.
Storage & Preservation
Remove greens immediately after harvest, leaving ½ inch of stem to prevent bleeding and moisture loss. Don't wash until ready to use—excess moisture promotes rot. Store unwashed carrots in the refrigerator crisper drawer in perforated plastic bags for up to 3 months.
For longer preservation, blanch whole carrots in boiling water for 5 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 12 months. The purple skin may fade slightly but flavor remains excellent. These colorful roots also pickle beautifully—their striking rings create stunning pickled vegetables. Dehydrated Cosmic Purple carrot chips make nutritious snacks and retain much of their visual appeal when properly dried at 125°F until crisp.
History & Origin
Origin: Europe, Eastern Asia and northern Africa
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators
- +Edible: Leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds are edible. The young fleshy roots can be cooked or eaten raw, the flower clusters can be french-fried to produce a carrot-flavored dish, the aromatic seed is used as a flavoring in stews, etc. The dried roasted roots are ground into a powder and are used for making coffee.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Sap/Juice): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels carrot fly and aphids while improving soil structure
Leeks
Natural pest deterrent against carrot fly and root maggots
Rosemary
Strong scent masks carrot odor from pests and repels carrot fly
Sage
Deters carrot fly and other root vegetable pests with aromatic oils
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete, provides living mulch and efficient space use
Radishes
Break up compacted soil for carrot root development and mature quickly
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests that damage carrot roots
Tomatoes
Provide shade for carrots in hot weather while carrots loosen soil for tomato roots
Keep Apart
Dill
Attracts carrot fly and can stunt carrot growth when planted too close
Parsnips
Compete for same nutrients and attract similar pests like carrot fly
Coriander
Can inhibit carrot seed germination and early growth through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to alternaria leaf blight and cercospora leaf spot
Common Pests
Carrot fly, aphids, flea beetles, wireworms
Diseases
Alternaria leaf blight, bacterial soft rot, aster yellows