Carthamus Zanzibar Orange (Safflower) Seeds

Grow fiery orange-and-gold safflower tufts on sturdy branching stems for fresh bouquets, dried arrangements and bold garden texture. Zanzibar Orange is a raw-seed Carthamus tinctorius cut-flower selection with smooth to nearly spineless foliage.

Ready to grow Zanzibar Orange for beautiful cut stems? Follow our step-by-step Carthamus Grow Guide for Zanzibar Orange for sowing, germination, transplanting, regional timing and harvest advice.

Quick Grow Facts

• Plant Type: Upright, branching annual cut flower
• Scientific Name: Carthamus tinctorius
• Selection: Zanzibar Orange
• Seed Form: Raw seed
• Pack Sizes: 50 and 1000 raw seed; live availability varies
• South African Sowing Time: Spring to early summer after damaging frost; use a drier shoulder-season window in humid districts
• Position: Full sun; light afternoon protection can help in exceptionally hot sites
• Sow Depth and Light: Sow 1 mm deep and cover lightly; germination light is not required
• Medium and Moisture: Fine, free-draining mix or a loose prepared row; keep evenly moist and aerated through emergence
• Germination: About 10–14 days at approximately 20–22°C
• Pretreatment: None; do not soak, scarify or chill
• Preferred Method: Direct sow; if trays are necessary, use deep cells and transplant young plugs at four to five weeks before roots circle
• Spacing: Packet range 15–25 cm; use about 15 cm in a supported cut row or 20–25 cm for branching and airflow
• Growth Form: Upright and branching, with dark green foliage, geometric buds and orange thistle-like flower tufts
• Height: Commonly about 70–80 cm under professional cut-flower guidance; site, season and planting density affect final stem length
• Spines: Smooth to nearly spineless foliage; firm or prickly flower bracts may still occur
• Support and Pinching: Support exposed rows; do not pinch routinely unless deliberately trialling a professional branched-spray programme
• Crop Time: Approximately 10–16 weeks from direct sowing to harvest in suitable conditions
• Harvest: Cut after orange colour shows for fresh use, at firm green bud for texture, or fully open for orange dried flowers
• Safety: Ornamental use only. The packet does not certify culinary use, so do not eat seed, petals or other plant parts.

Why Grow Zanzibar Orange

• Fiery orange-and-gold tufts bring unusual colour and movement to bouquets.
• Branching clusters supply several buds and flower heads on a sturdy stem.
• Smooth to nearly spineless foliage makes harvest easier than traditional spiny safflower.
• The flowers and geometric buds hold their form well for air-dried arrangements.

Growing Notes

• Direct sow into full sun and free-draining soil for the best taproot establishment.
• Keep young plants evenly moist, then water deeply and less often once established.
• Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, waterlogging and overcrowding.
• Install horizontal netting before stems elongate in windy or exposed gardens.
• In humid regions, use the wider spacing, water at soil level and protect foliage from remaining wet overnight.

Brought to you by Ubuntuberg Seeds, where our mission is to cultivate humanity & harvest unity. Ubuntuberg Seeds: the highest quality seed stock in all of Southern Africa, sourced from sustainable farms, guaranteeing you the best quality seed stock.