🌿 Salsify: Growing Guide
Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 2–26 °C (36–79 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart. Expect 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Tragopogon porrifolius |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 2–26 °C (36–79 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 60–120 cm (24–47 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan · Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Mar–Apr.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May.
Watering
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
A root with an oyster-like flavor! A rare vegetable. Purple flowers. A historic European vegetable.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Salsify: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar, Sep · Plant out: Apr, Oct · Harvest: May. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
Salsify: how often should I water it?
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Salsify: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Salsify: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Salsify: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato.
Plan your garden
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