Flax
Linum usitatissimum • Linaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Grain / Herb / Oilseed
🌍 Origin Region
Fertile Crescent and Mediterranean region; widely adapted to temperate climates.
📅 Days to Maturity
90-110 days for seed harvest; 30-45 days for bloom. Harvest when bolls turn gold-brown and rattle.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-11 (grown as an annual). Best in regions with cool, moist summers.
About This Seed
The seeds are small (4-6mm), flat, oval-shaped with a pointed tip, and a glossy, smooth reddish-brown surface. The mature plant is an upright annual reaching 2-3 feet tall with slender stems, glaucous narrow leaves, and delicate pale blue flowers with five petals.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Cool season; best sown in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Tolerates light frost.
Germination
Takes 7-14 days at 55-70°F (13-21°C). High germination rate. Requires light and consistent moisture; no pre-treatment needed.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Spacing: 1 inch apart or broadcast heavily for fiber. Soil: Well-drained, fertile loamy soil. pH: 6.0 to 7.5. Prepare by removing weeds to reduce competition.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8 hours); moderate water needs during establishment, high drought tolerance once mature but prefers consistent moisture for seed production.
Companion Plants
Beneficial with Potatoes to deter potato beetles, and Carrots. Avoid planting near large brassicas that may shade it out.
Special Characteristics
Pollinator-friendly, high in Omega-3 fatty acids, edible seeds, used for linen fiber, and ornamentally beautiful for blue wildflower meadows.