Species moon carrot

moon carrot

Seseli gummiferum

Moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) is a perennial herb found in a variety of habitats in Europe and Asia. Its leaves are divided into two or three leaflets and its stems can reach up to two feet in height. Moon carrots have pinnate-shaped white flowers with five to six pinkish-purple petals that are clustered in tight heads at the ends of the stems. They have long, fern-like leaves and a taproot that can reach up to 4.5 meters in depth. The petals give the plant a moon-like quality, hence the name "moon carrot". The plant is native to the UK where it is found to be a good source of food for farm animals. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Pale pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Watering Moon Carrots: Moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) is a low water-demand plant, meaning it doesn't require frequent irrigation. To keep the soil moist, provide your Moon Carrots with 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Water Moon Carrots at their roots as to avoid moisture on the leaves, which might cause fungal diseases. During the growing season, which is typically during the summer months, water the plants more often. Make sure to avoid overwatering, as excessive water can cause root rot. Additionally, make sure that the soil is allowed to dry out between watering to reduce the chances of fungal disease and pest infestations.

sunlight

Moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) is a member of the Parsley family and needs a moderate amount of sunlight to thrive. Generally, it requires at least 4-5 hours of full or partial sunlight per day. If planted outside, the plant should be placed in a location that receives full sun for at least part of the day. When grown indoors, moon carrot should be placed near a sunny window. They prefer bright, direct sunlight which should be filtered with a sheer white curtain and kept at least 6 inches away from the window glass. It is important to note that moon carrot will benefit from a little afternoon shade during especially hot summer days.

pruning

Moon carrot (Seseli gummiferum) should be pruned back to the ground after flowering has finished in late summer. Depending on the desired size and shape, some selective pruning may also be done before flowering begins in late spring. To maintain a healthy shape and encourage abundant flowering, remove dead or broken stems in the early spring and remove up to a third of the oldest wood in the center. This process can be repeated every 2 to 3 years.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Moon carrot typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map