Carolina Safflower Plant Care

Carolina Safflower (Carthamus carolinianus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Carthamus genus. Carolina Safflower is native to the central and southern United States, from eastern Texas east to Virginia and the Carolinas, north to the Ohio Valley. Carolina Safflower is also known as American Distaff Thistle.

Carolina Safflower displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Carolina Safflower produces bright orange, thistle-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Carolina Safflower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Carolina Safflower thrives in full sun.

Carthamus carolinianus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Carolina Safflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Carolina Safflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Carolina Safflower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Carolina Safflower is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Carolina Safflower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Carolina Safflower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Carolina Safflower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Carolina Safflower can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blueflower safflower plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Carolina Safflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Carolina Safflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Carolina Safflower is native to the central and southern United States, from eastern Texas east to Virginia and the Carolinas, north to the Ohio Valley. In cooler regions, grow Carolina Safflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.