Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica)
6 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to early June
- Ready in
- 120–120 days
- Site
- soil pH 6–7.5
- Biggest risk
- White blister
In the UK, scorzonera go in the ground early March to early June, and are ready to harvest 120–120 days after planting.
Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica) — perennial.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early March in Southern England to early March in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
Quick Facts
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Diseases
Pests
Scorzonera, the Black-Skinned Root with White Flesh
References
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country=USA
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Scorzonera hispanica is a herbaceous perennial native to southern Europe and western Asia, with long black edible roots of good nutritional value and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Easily raised from seed sown in situ in autumn or spring, using the freshest seed possible; sow in spring as soon as the soil has warmed, about 1.5cm deep in rows 30cm apart, aiming for about 10cm between plants. Ideal conditions for long roots are a sunny spot in moist but well-drained sandy or loamy soil; needs 150-180 days from sowing to harvest and deep, stone-free soil for straight roots. Harvest from November after the first frosts; roots left in the ground stay in good condition through December, January and February, and frost improves the flavour.
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country=INTL
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country=UK
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Directly fetched and verified. RHS explicitly does not recommend pesticide use against aphids; recommends tolerance, manual squashing, and encouraging/purchasing natural predators (ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings, parasitoid wasps, earwigs) as biological control, especially under glass.
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country=USA
6 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow scorzonera in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow scorzonera?
Sow early March to early June.
How long do scorzonera take to grow?
Typically 120–120 days, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
What soil pH do scorzonera need?
A pH of about 6–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect scorzonera?
Our data links 1 disease and 1 pest to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-09-02
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.