Mendel’s Gardens

Daucus carota

Queen Anne's Lace · Wild Carrot

Family ApiaceaeGenus Daucus

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
Low severity. Leaves, Sap/Juice. Falcarinol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
Habit
Biennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Height
2-4 ftPlant Finder
Spread
0.5-1 ftPlant Finder
Flower
Showy, good cut; whitePlant Finder
Blooms
June to SeptemberPlant Finder
Native range
Europe to IndiaPlant Finder
Hardiness zones
4-11Plant Finder
Note
Listed as a noxious weed in some Midwestern states; do not plant.Plant Finder

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Evenly moist, well-drained
Watering
Medium

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 29, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 8 days to germinate.

40% germination in 3–8 days.

Dry storage first. Every other treatment gave under 3%.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Germination in March and April.

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

23% germination.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

Under 3%, like every treatment except six months of dry storage.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, DaucusPublic domain
Show the original text
Daucus (Apiaceae). D. carota exhibited complex germinations. Fresh seed germ. 23% in March and April in outdoor treatment and seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(40% in 3-8 d). All other treatments germ. less than 3% including 40-70L.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Daucus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.