How to Grow Queen Anne's Lace
Wikimedia Commons
Queen Anne's Lace
Daucus carota subsp. carota
flowerQueen Anne's Lace is a delicate wildflower with intricate, lacy white flower clusters that resemble fine lacework, often with a small dark red or purple flower in the center. This biennial produces feathery green foliage in its first year and tall flowering stems in its second year. It is also known as wild carrot and is edible when young, though primarily grown ornamentally.
When should you plant Queen Anne's Lace in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Queen Anne's Lace timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Queen Anne's Lace
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Queen Anne's Lace blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Queen Anne's Lace dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, cold-hardy and adaptable to most climates
Sign up free to see if Queen Anne's Lace grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Queen Anne's Lace timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Germination
2-3 weeksTiny seeds germinate on soil surface with light exposure; seedlings are delicate with thread-like cotyledons
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; do not bury seeds. Germination takes 7-21 days
Seedling & First Year Growth
3-6 monthsFeathery, finely-divided foliage emerges; plant develops a deep taproot and rosette of carrot-like leaves
Thin seedlings to proper spacing; keep weed-free. Minimal fertilizer needed; reduce watering as plant establishes
Rosette Overwintering
Winter monthsPlant overwinters as a low rosette of divided leaves at ground level, with energy stored in the root
No special care needed in cold climates; plant is fully cold-hardy. In warm zones, may begin growing shoots in late winter
Flowering
4-8 weeksSecond-year growth produces tall, hollow stems (2-4 feet) topped with intricate, flat-topped white lace-like flower clusters (compound umbels), often with a tiny dark central floret
Allow plants to flower and set seed; deadhead some flowers if you wish to prevent excessive self-seeding. Stems may need light staking in windy areas
Seed Set & Maturation
4-6 weeksFlowers fade and seed heads form, developing into delicate, feathery structures that curl upward like bird nests
Allow seeds to mature fully on the plant for self-sowing or collection. Seed heads add ornamental interest through fall
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use row covers over seedlings; remove and destroy infested plants; crop rotation helpful
-
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
-
Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil if necessary
-
Remove by hand; use diatomaceous earth; create barriers with copper tape or coarse materials
Uses
Edible Young Root & Greens
CulinaryFirst-year roots are tender and carrot-like, eaten fresh, roasted, or cooked. Young leaves are edible in salads with a slightly bitter carrot flavor. [source]
Herbal Remedy
MedicinalTraditionally used as a diuretic and digestive aid; seeds have been used in herbal medicine for various purposes. Modern herbalists use it for urinary and reproductive health. [source]
Floral Arranging & Drying
HouseholdWhite lace flowers are prized by florists for delicate, airy arrangements. Flower clusters and mature seed heads dry beautifully for long-lasting dried floral displays. [source]
Pressed Flowers & Crafts
CraftThe delicate, flat flower clusters press beautifully for botanical art, bookmarks, and resin crafts. Mature seed heads are used in dried arrangements and wreaths. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeAbundant flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hover flies. Seeds feed finches and other seed-eating birds throughout fall and winter. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For ornamental use, cut flower stems when the white lacy flower clusters are fully open but before seeds fully mature. For edible roots, harvest in first year before flowering (before root becomes tough and woody). Seeds can be collected in late fall when seed heads have dried completely; invert heads into a paper bag to catch seeds
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Queen Anne's Lace is actually a wild ancestor of the cultivated carrot; it is considered invasive in some regions and naturalized in many others
- 🌱 The tiny dark red or purple flower in the center of the white lace cluster is sometimes called the 'blood drop of Queen Anne' — legend says it originated when Queen Anne of England pricked her finger while making lace
- 🌱 The seed heads curl into delicate, nest-like structures called 'bird's nests' and were traditionally used as natural birth control in herbal medicine
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Queen Anne's Lace planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Queen Anne's Lace seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Queen Anne's Lace timeline →