Flax
Linum usitatissimum · Linaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant flax: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to July, pale blue flowers
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast (4 to 5 months)
- Hardiness
- Good (down to −15 °C)
- Origin
- Middle East and Mediterranean
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, neutral to alkaline
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during growth, especially during the flower formation period. Moderate but consistent watering promotes harmonious development. Reduce watering after flowering. Avoid excess water, which encourages fungal diseases.
Light Exposure
Place your flax in full sun for abundant flowering and a robust plant. A minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct light is necessary. Slight afternoon shade works in very hot regions.
Soil Preparation
Prepare well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter before planting. Flax tolerates neutral to alkaline soils but dislikes chronic waterlogging. Light soil work is sufficient before sowing.
Fertilization
Moderate balanced fertilizer application at the start of the season supports growth. Excess nitrogen causes overly leafy vegetation at the expense of flowering. A single spring application is usually sufficient.
Maintenance and Harvesting
Flax requires no formal pruning. In ornamental cultivation, remove faded flowers to extend flowering. If you grow it for fiber, harvest when the stems turn yellow, usually 3 to 4 months after sowing.
Diseases and Pests
Flax is generally robust but can suffer from rust or crown rot if excessively moist. Ensure good air circulation and avoid watering the foliage. Pest attacks remain rare with proper cultivation.
Did you know?
Flax has been cultivated for over 9,000 years in Mesopotamia. Its fibers have been used since Antiquity to make linen, and linseed oil from its seeds is a major component of traditional varnishes and paints. The ancient Egyptians revered it so much that only priests and nobility had the right to wear linen.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Fairy flaxLinum catharticum
- Pale flaxLinum bienne
- Linum tenuifoliumLinum tenuifolium
- Linum strictumLinum strictum
- AllseedRadiola linoides
- Linum suffruticosumLinum suffruticosum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.