How to Grow Scorzonera

Updated June 2026

A cool-season root crop for the home garden.

What it looks like as it grows

Scorzonera is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Scorzonera, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Scorzonera is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the scorzonera page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Black Salsify, Black-skinned, sweet root (specialty seed)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 6 in between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 0.5 in deep.
• Water: roughly 1.1 gal per plant every 3 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, White rust can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Scorzonera is usually ready to harvest in about 4 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant scorzonera where you garden.

See also: Scorzonera in the plant library →

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