How to Grow Queen Anne's Lace
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Queen Anne's Lace
Daucus carota subsp. carota
flowerQueen Anne's Lace is a delicate biennial wildflower with intricate, lacy white flower clusters that bloom in flat-topped umbels resembling fine lacework. Also called wild carrot, it produces feathery, fern-like foliage and attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. The plant is both ornamental and edible, with roots that taste similar to cultivated carrots.
When should you plant Queen Anne's Lace in your zone?
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Example Queen Anne's Lace timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Queen Anne's Lace
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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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 →Hardy and adaptable across zones 2-10; thrives in cool to warm climates
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Get my Queen Anne's Lace timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing feathery and delicate
Keep soil lightly moist. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart. Light is important for germination.
First Year Vegetative
8-10 monthsFern-like foliage forms a basal rosette; plant develops a white taproot; no flowers yet
Water moderately during dry periods. Weed carefully to avoid disturbing the root. Minimal fertilizer needed.
Spring Emergence (Year 2)
3-4 weeksGrowth resumes in spring; tall stems with finely divided leaves rapidly elongate toward flowering
Stake tall varieties if in windy locations. Continue light watering. No fertilizer needed.
Flowering & Blooming
6-8 weeksDelicate white lacy flower clusters (umbels) develop, sometimes with a tiny purple or red flower in the center; highly attractive to insects
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding. Provide pollinators access.
Seed Maturation & Harvest
4-6 weeksFlowers fade and seeds develop in characteristic bird's nest-like structures; seeds turn brown and dry
Allow plants to mature if saving seeds. Cut seed heads before they shatter completely. Leave some for wildlife or natural reseeding.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use fine mesh netting, row covers, or time plantings to avoid peak activity. Companion planting with strong-scented herbs may help.
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Spray with water or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
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Maintain adequate moisture; spray with water; neem oil if severe.
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Hand-pick early morning or use pheromone traps; neem oil as last resort.
Uses
Edible Root & Seeds
CulinaryThe taproot can be eaten fresh or cooked and tastes like a mild, sweet carrot. Seeds can be dried and used as a culinary or herbal tea with a slightly carrot-like flavor. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedy
MedicinalQueen Anne's Lace has been used in folk medicine for digestive health, as a diuretic, and to support urinary function. Seeds are traditionally used in herbal preparations. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Magnet
WildlifeThe delicate flowers attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that control garden pests. A key plant for supporting diverse insect populations. [source]
Cut Flowers & Dried Arrangements
CraftThe delicate white umbels are excellent in fresh bouquets and dry beautifully for permanent floral arrangements and wreaths. The dried seed heads are also decorative. [source]
Natural Dye Plant
HouseholdHistorically used to produce yellow and green dyes from both roots and above-ground parts, making it a valuable plant for natural dyeing projects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
First-year roots can be harvested in fall after the first frost (sweetens roots). Second-year: harvest flowers when fully open for ornamental use or seed collection. Cut flower clusters at the peak of bloom for arrangements. Allow some flowers to mature and dry for seeds; cut seed heads when brown and store in paper bags in cool, dry location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Queen Anne's Lace is named after Queen Anne of England (1665-1714), supposedly because she challenged her ladies-in-waiting to make lace as delicate as the flower—and most failed.
- 🌱 The tiny purple or dark flower often found in the center of the white umbel is sometimes called the 'Queen's blood,' symbolizing a drop of blood from when Queen Anne pricked her finger while making lace.
- 🌱 It is the wild ancestor of the cultivated carrot; early cultivated carrots were purple, not orange, and orange varieties were selectively bred from wild carrot plants in the Netherlands.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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