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Daucus carota

Carrot · Queen Anne's Lace · Wild Carrot

Family ApiaceaeGenus Daucus

White flowerheads on tall wiry stems in rough dry ground
The whole plantUser:TigerenteCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
Low severity. Leaves, Sap/Juice. Falcarinol.Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
Habit
biennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mPlant Finder
Spread
0.5-1 ft15-30 cmPlant Finder
Flower
Showy, good cut; whitePlant Finder
Blooms
June to SeptemberPlant Finder
Native range
Europe to IndiaPlant Finder
Hardiness zones
4-11Plant Finder
Note
Listed as a noxious weed in some Midwestern states; do not plant.Plant Finder

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shadePlant Finder
Soil
Evenly moist, well-drainedPlant Finder
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
MediumPlant Finder

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

Worth knowing

  • The wild form of the carrot, called Queen Anne's lace in North America. The root is edible while young but soon turns too woody to eat. Wikipedia: Daucus carota
  • Like many in its family, the leaves can cause phytophotodermatitis: skin irritation from contact, especially when the foliage is wet. Wikipedia: Daucus carota

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 29, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 8 days to germinate.

40% germination in 3–8 days.

Dry storage first. Every other treatment gave under 3%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Germination in March and April.

No stated waiting before sowing.

23% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

Under 3%, like every treatment except six months of dry storage.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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