Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
An annual or biennial Apiaceae root vegetable grown for its orange (or purple, white, yellow, red) taproot. Foliage hosts black swallowtail caterpillars — the same Apiaceae specialist that uses parsley. NC State notes the wild form (Daucus carota subsp. carota, Queen Anne's lace) is the same species + interfertile with cultivated carrots; do not let cultivated carrots overwinter to seed in areas where wild Queen Anne's lace is also present.
Edible
Pollinator
Light
Full sun
Water
Consistent moisture
Mature size
10-24" tall · 3" apart
Hardy in zones
Annual everywhere
AHS heat range
1-6
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
No
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Watering and irrigation
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Moisture retention
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Transplanting and establishment
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Fertility and feeding
Compost, balanced fertilizer, slow-release plant food, and organic amendments.
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Seed starting
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A documented larval host for the Black swallowtail — specialist wildlife that depend on plants like this to reproduce.
Cold hardiness
Future
This plant is grown as an annual; hardiness zones don't apply.
Heat tolerance
Future
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
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Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus). Retrieved 2026, June 14, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/daucus-carota-subsp-sativus
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
University extension service
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes