Linum Species, Common Flax, Linseed

Linumusitatissimum

Genus
Linum (LIN-um)
Species
usitatissimum (yoo-si-tat-IS-see-mum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Light Blue
Dark Blue
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Manhattan Beach, California

Salinas, California

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Dover, New Hampshire

Plainfield, New Jersey

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Tarentum, Pennsylvania

Houston, Texas

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
(Zone 8b) | January 2009 | neutral

Though very growable for non-aesthetic reasons (fiber, seeds for nutriment or drying oil), it is best grown en masse. Just a few plants c...Read More

W
W
Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) | May 2007 | positive

For gardening purposes, I just love Flax in mass.

Each year I toss a good handful about the area where
my hollyhoc...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | November 2002 | neutral

Although flax seed is sold in most health food stores, and is considered to have many healthful and medicinal quantities, in its raw stat...Read More

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