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Carrot

Daucus carota sativusfam. Apiaceae
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Daucus carota sativus (Carrot) — botanical photograph
Pl. CAA0 — Daucus carota sativus
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Overview

Carrot (Daucus carota sativus) is a biennial plant native to regions spanning from Afghanistan to Europe and North Africa. It has been cultivated for its edible root and leaves in various countries including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus. Known both for culinary use and traditional medicine, carrots are valued for their light, moist nature and adaptability to different soil types—ranging from sandy to clay. They thrive in a pH between 6.5 and 7 and can grow up to 1.2 meters tall with a spread of about 0.20 meters. The plant's hardiness ranges from zone 3 to zone 10, making it suitable for diverse climates. Carrots are often grown for their roots, which are rich in nutrients and flavor, as well as their leaves, which can be used in salads or cooked dishes. One distinctive feature of the carrot is its ability to grow in a variety of soil conditions, contributing to its widespread cultivation.

Quick answers

What is Carrot?

Carrot (Daucus carota sativus) is a biennial plant native to regions spanning from Afghanistan to Europe and North Africa. It has been cultivated for its edible root and leaves in various countries including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus.

Compare with:Angelica crucifolia→Angelica decursiva→Angelica edulis→all comparisons →
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Traditional use for digestive support.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
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Cultivation

Carrots thrive in light to medium soil with a pH of 6.5–7 and prefer moist conditions. They are hardy in temperate regions, with a growing range from zones 3-10. Plant carrots in full sun or partial shade, as they require plenty of light for optimal growth. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Harvest the roots after two to three years when the plant has completed its biennial life cycle. The leaves can also be eaten and are ready to pick earlier. Skip mulching if the soil is heavy; otherwise, a thin layer may help retain moisture.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-10
Life cycle
Biennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.2 m × 0.20 m
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers

How to grow Carrot for the first time

8steps

Start with easy-to-grow carrots for a rewarding beginner gardening experience.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds, small pots or trays, soil, and a garden plot.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall harvests.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Containers should be at least 15 cm deep.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Sow seeds directly in the garden or start them indoors, then transplant when large enough to handle.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil moist and cover with a thin layer of mulch. Thin seedlings to 5 cm apart after they grow their second set of leaves.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to prevent rot.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Thin young carrots for better growth and harvest mature roots when they reach 1-2 cm in diameter.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting too deep, not thinning seedlings, and waiting too long to harvest.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: Coffee, Colouring, Condiment
Other uses:AlcoholDyeEssential OilDynamic accumulatorFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

66 native · 120 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 66 native· 120 introduced
Europe27 regions
native (24)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (3)FinlandIcelandRussia
Asia21 regions
native (11)AfghanistanChinaIranIraqKazakhstanNepalPakistanPalestineTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistan
introduced (10)BangladeshChinaGeorgiaIndiaJapanMongoliaMyanmarSouth KoreaSri LankaVietnam
Americas11 regions
introduced (11)Costa RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorGuatemalaHaitiJamaicaPeruPuerto RicoUruguay
Africa10 regions
native (7)AlgeriaCabo VerdeEritreaEthiopiaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
introduced (3)AngolaMauritiusSudan
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Kirgizstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Amsterdam-St.Paul Is, Andaman Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Brazil South, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chile Central, Chile South, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Desventurados Is., District of Columbia, Easter Is., Florida, Hainan, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Jawa, Kansas, Kentucky, Kermadec Is., Labrador, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Marianas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, Nicobar Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Réunion, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Daucus carota sativus (Carrot) — botanical photograph
Carrot (Daucus carota sativus)
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See also

8 related
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