Larkspur Planting Guide

June

June is for larkspur

larkspur rewards gardeners who pay attention to a few basics. Here's what matters in June, wherever you're growing.

Sun full sun

Water low

Days to harvest 60–90

Plant depth 0.1″

Spacing 8″

How to water larkspur
Mulch heavily around larkspur to hold soil moisture without watering more often.
Where to put larkspur
South-facing beds are ideal for larkspur. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant larkspur. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Pick your county for exact larkspur timing →

Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) is a cool-season annual that produces tall, delicate spires of blue, purple, pink, and white flowers reminiscent of its perennial cousin, delphinium. Direct-sown into cold soil or fall-sown in mild-winter climates, it blooms in spring before going to seed as summer heat arrives. An excellent cut flower and cottage-garden staple.

Consolida ajacis · Flower · Ranunculaceae family · 60–90 days to maturity

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting

Why it matters: If you're just starting a flower garden in your area, Larkspur is a forgiving first pick. It tolerates imperfect soil, mild drought, and the occasional missed watering. The reward: weeks (sometimes months) of continuous color.

Get Your Personalized Larkspur Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Larkspur?

Zone Compatibility for Larkspur Zones 2a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Bloom
Zone 2a	—	Apr 18	—	Jun 27 – Jul 25
Zone 2b	—	Apr 10	—	Jun 19 – Jul 17
Zone 3a	—	Apr 10	—	Jun 19 – Jul 24
Zone 3b	—	Apr 5	—	Jun 14 – Jul 26
Zone 4a	—	Apr 1	—	Jun 10 – Jul 22
Zone 4b	—	Apr 3	—	Jun 12 – Jul 31
Zone 5a	—	Mar 28	—	Jun 6 – Aug 1
Zone 5b	—	Mar 21	—	May 30 – Jul 25
Zone 6a	—	Mar 13	—	May 22 – Jul 17
Zone 6b	—	Mar 6	—	May 15 – Jul 10
Zone 7a	—	Feb 25	—	May 6 – Jul 15
Zone 7b	—	Feb 18	—	Apr 29 – Jul 22
Zone 8a	—	Feb 8	—	Apr 19 – Jul 26
Zone 8b	—	—	—	Nov 28 – Mar 20
Zone 9a	—	—	—	Dec 10 – Apr 1
Zone 9b	—	—	—	Dec 27 – Apr 4
Zone 10a	—	—	—	Jan 14 – Mar 25
Zone 10b	—	—	—	Jan 14 – Mar 11

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Larkspur is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Transplant shows "—" because Larkspur is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.

How to Plant Larkspur

0.1"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 2a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Ranunculaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Ranunculaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Larkspur

Larkspur matures in just 60–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Larkspur

✅ Good Companions

Roses Peonies Foxglove Sweet Pea

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Larkspur

Larkspur does not transplant well — direct-sow only. In cold climates (zones 2–6), sow directly in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, 4–6 weeks before last frost; cold soil improves germination. In zones 7–10, fall-sow 8–10 weeks before first frost for spring bloom. Press seeds lightly into soil; they need darkness to germinate — cover with 1/8–1/4 inch of soil. Thin to 6–12 inches to prevent powdery mildew. Allow seed pods to mature and self-sow for naturalized colonies. All parts are toxic if ingested.

Saving Larkspur Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Larkspur by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Larkspur?

Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Larkspur grow in?

Larkspur can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Larkspur need?

Growing Larkspur requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 7.