Origin
Mediterranean
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Care
Moderate
Flowering
Flowering
Edible & Fruit
Carotte
Orange only since the seventeenth century: before that, Afghanistan grew it purple. Loose, deep soil makes all the difference.
Care Profile
A guide to ensuring your botanical companion thrives.
Origin
Central Asia
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Maintenance
Easy
Purple before it was orange
Domesticated in Central Asia, the carrot was purple or yellow for most of its history; the orange varieties we know were selected in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century.
Its success depends almost entirely on the soil: deep, loose, stone-free ground gives straight roots, while compacted soil makes them fork.
"The carrot grows in the soil you prepare for it, not the soil you give it."
01
Styling Tip 01
Full sun
A position sunny all day ensures a well-coloured, sweet root.
02
Styling Tip 02
Regular watering
Water regularly but never to excess: alternating dry and wet splits the roots late in the season.
03
Styling Tip 03
Loose soil and thinning
Dig deeply without fresh manure, then thin to 5 cm: without room the roots stay tiny.
Similar plants
More botanical treasures to discover.
Origin
Mediterranean
Light
Full sun
Watering
Rarely
Care
Easy
Flowering
Flowering