Purple Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Purple carrots are colorful carrot cultivars grown from seed as annual vegetables. They like full or partial sun and moist soil, and are sown directly and thinned to 2 to 3 inches apart.
Quick facts
- Germination time
- 14–21 days
- Germination temperature
- 13–18 °C55–64 °F
- Sowing depth
- 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in
- Spacing between plants
- 5–7.5 cm2–3 in
- Days to maturity
- 65–75 days from sowing
- Sun
- Full sun, partial shade
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated
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01 · Overview
About purple carrot
Purple carrots are carrot cultivars with purple roots and an orange core, such as ‘Purple Haze’. Early carrots were originally many colors, ranging from red and purple to black. Carrots are cool-season vegetables. In the wild they are biennial, but they are grown as annuals when harvested as a vegetable.
Sun and soil. Carrots grow best in full sun but tolerate partial shade. They do best in loose, well-drained soil; heavy, compacted clay can make roots branch and distort.
Growing details
- Start indoors
- Not yet verified
- Sow outdoors
- 2–3 weeks before the last frost
- Water
- Not yet verified
- Containers
- Not yet verified
- Height
- Not yet verified
- Spread
- Not yet verified
- Frost tolerance
- Half-hardy (light frost)
- Soil pH
- pH 6.0–8.0
- Life cycle
- Annual
Sowing timeline
When to sow purple carrot seeds
Counted from your area's average last spring frost date. Find yours from a local weather service or garden center, then count back or forward.
- Germination temperature
- 13–18 °C55–64 °F
- Frost tolerance
- Half-hardy (light frost)
02 · How to grow
How to grow purple carrot from seed
When and how to sow. Sow the seed directly in the garden, because transplanting can easily damage the young taproots. Plant about 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost, once the soil has reached at least 45°F (7°C).
Depth and spacing. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm) deep. Thin the seedlings to 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) apart. Some guides suggest thinning to just 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) apart.
Germination. Seeds germinate best at 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C) and take 14 to 21 days to emerge. Seed can take longer in cold soil.
03 · Care
Caring for purple carrot
Watering. Keep the soil moist, because under-watering can lead to tough, bitter carrots. Uniform soil moisture is critical for sweet, crisp roots. Ease up on watering near harvest, since too much moisture can cause roots to crack.
Feeding. Too much nitrogen can push the plant to make leaves instead of roots.
At a glance
How purple carrot compares with other vegetables
Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Vegetables on SeedBattle.
- Purple Carrot
- Each of the other vegetables
- Their average
- Germination timeSlower to sprout than average
14–21 days
Average for vegetables: 9 days, from 39 other seeds
- Days to maturityAbout average
65–75 days from sowing
Average for vegetables: 64 days, from 17 other seeds
- Germination temperatureCooler than average
13–18 °C55–64 °F
Average for vegetables: 23 °C73 °F, from 38 other seeds
- Sowing depthShallower than average
6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in
Average for vegetables: 1 cm½ in, from 58 other seeds
- Spacing between plantsCloser than average
5–7.5 cm2–3 in
Average for vegetables: 35 cm14 in, from 43 other seeds
04 · Problems
Common purple carrot problems
Carrot yellows, Alternaria leaf spot and root-knot nematodes can stunt or wilt growth. Insect pests include aphids, carrot rust fly, leafhoppers, flea beetles, leaf miners, weevils, caterpillars and slugs. Carrot fly larvae are small white maggots that burrow into the developing root. Compacted or heavy soil can produce stunted, forked or twisted roots.
05 · Harvest
Harvesting purple carrot
Harvest for fresh use before the roots exceed 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, or about 65 to 75 days after planting. Roots can be eaten at any time after they reach full size, about when the top of the root starts to rise out of the soil.
06 · Storage
Storing purple carrot
Topped carrots can be stored for 4 to 5 months at 32°F (0°C) and 90 to 95% humidity without noticeable loss of quality. Cut off and compost the green tops right after harvest to reduce moisture loss from the roots.
07 · Safety
Purple Carrot safety
Listed as non-toxic for cats and non-toxic for dogs. Wash carrots after harvest and again before eating.
Purple Carrot questions
How long do purple carrot seeds take to germinate?
Seeds take 14 to 21 days to emerge when they germinate at 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C). Cold soil can slow them down.
When should I plant purple carrots?
Plant about 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost. Wait until the soil has reached at least 45°F (7°C).
Can I grow purple carrots in a pot?
One source lists containers as small as 2 quarts (about 1.9 L) with a minimum depth of 10 inches (25 cm). Another source says containers are not a good option because they do not give long roots enough room.
How deep should I sow purple carrot seeds?
Sow ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm) deep.
Quick answers
More purple carrot questions
Short answers taken from the growing facts on this page.
How far apart should I plant purple carrot?
Space the plants 5–7.5 cm2–3 in apart.
How much sun does purple carrot need?
Purple carrot grows in full sun or partial shade.
What temperature do purple carrot seeds need to sprout?
Purple carrot seeds germinate at 13–18 °C55–64 °F.
How long does purple carrot take to mature?
Purple carrot takes 65–75 days from sowing to mature.
Can purple carrot survive frost?
Only a light frost. Purple carrot is half-hardy.
Is purple carrot an annual or a perennial?
Purple carrot is an annual.
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