How to Grow Larkspur: Sow It in Place, Keep It From Kids and Pets
Larkspur gives tall blue, pink and white spikes in spring, and the whole plant, seeds included, is poisonous, so grow it only where small children and pets can’t reach. Growing it is simple: in October or early November, sow the seed directly where it will flower, in a sunny bed or a deep pot, and don’t move the seedlings, because larkspur dislikes transplanting.
Larkspur contains alkaloids that affect nerves and muscles. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with signs such as drooling, weakness, muscle tremors and collapse. Treat seeds, leaves and flowers as poisonous to people too. Don’t grow it in a toddler’s play area, wear gloves when saving seed, wash hands after, and keep saved seed in a labelled, closed jar out of reach. If a child or pet eats any part, get medical or veterinary help at once and take a piece of the plant. Our poisonous plants for kids and pets guide covers the wider list.
Quick facts
- Plant: annual larkspur (Consolida), a relative of delphinium
- Sow on the plains: October to early November, directly in place
- Karachi: November
- Pot: 10 to 15 litres (12 inch, deep) for 3 to 4 plants
- Sun: 6 hours
- Bloom: roughly March to April on the plains
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How do I grow larkspur from seed?
- Pick the final spot now: a sunny bed or a deep pot, away from where children play.
- Mix: 2 parts garden soil, 1 part compost, 1 part sand. Well drained, not rich.
- Sow seeds about 5 mm deep, 2 or 3 per spot, 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches) apart.
- Keep damp and cool. Larkspur germinates slowly and likes cool soil; sprouts can take 2 to 3 weeks. Patience, not extra water.
- Thin at 3 leaves to the strongest seedling by snipping the others, not pulling, so you don’t disturb its roots.
- Stake tall types in February.
Sow it where it will flower
Larkspur grows a long, fragile root early and stalls or dies when moved, which is why tray raised seedlings so often fail. Skip the tray. If you must use pots for later moving, sow into paper cups or toilet roll tubes and plant the whole tube, so the root is never touched. Sowing early in cool soil matters more than any feed.
Seed or nursery seedlings for a beginner?
Seed, clearly. Nursery larkspur seedlings are rare, and the ones you find often sulk after transplanting. Seed sown in place is cheap and usually works if sown in time.
When to sow larkspur in each zone
| Zone | Sow | Bloom |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | November | February to March, often shorter |
| Lahore, Faisalabad, Delhi | October to early November | March to April |
| Multan, Sukkur, Bahawalpur | October | March, fades in April heat |
| Islamabad, Peshawar | October | April to May |
| Hills | March, or autumn in mild valleys | June to August |
How should I water and feed larkspur?
After germination, water when the top 2 to 3 cm is dry, every 4 to 6 days in the ground in winter, every 2 to 3 days in pots. Larkspur handles cold and light frost well; frost nights are fine. From March, as days warm, water more often and mulch. Feeding: compost at sowing is enough. A rich mix gives tall, soft stems that fall over.
Why is my larkspur not flowering?
- Sown late: December sowings on the plains often run into heat before spikes form.
- Transplanted: moved seedlings may survive but stay small and flower poorly.
- Shade: under 6 hours gives leaning stems and few flowers.
- Waterlogging: yellowing base and rot.
Pests and diseases
Aphids, powdery mildew in late spring, and root rot in heavy wet soil are the main issues. Space plants for airflow, water the soil not the leaves, and rinse aphids off with water. If you decide on a spray, read the label in full, wear gloves, and keep children and pets out of the bed until dry.
Can I use larkspur as a cut flower?
Yes, it is a classic cottage cut flower and dries well too. Cut spikes in the cool morning when the lowest third of the flowers are open, wearing gloves, and put them straight into water. For drying, hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy room for two to three weeks. Keep vases and dried bunches where children and pets cannot pull them down, because the petals and leaves stay toxic when dry.
Is larkspur annual or perennial?
Annual larkspur is an annual: it grows, flowers and sets seed in one season. Perennial delphiniums look similar but need cool summers and rarely do well on the plains.
How do I save larkspur seeds safely?
Wearing gloves, let a few spikes dry until the pods turn brown and papery, usually in April. Snip them into a paper bag, let them finish drying, then shake out the small black seeds. Store in a labelled, closed jar on a high shelf, never in the kitchen. Seed sown in place may also self seed into the bed next October, so pull any seedlings that come up in play areas.
Grow it or skip it?
Grow it if you have a sunny bed away from small children and pets and like tall cottage flowers for cutting. Maybe in a deep pot on a roof only adults use. Skip it if toddlers or a chewing dog share the garden: there are safer spike flowers, such as hollyhock or stock. For the soil, see our potting mix guide; more flowers in Phool aur Paudhe. Our seed starting guide explains why some seeds hate trays.
Larkspur growing questions
How do I grow larkspur from seed?
Sow it directly where it will flower in October, about 5 mm deep in sunny, well drained soil, and keep it damp and cool until it sprouts.
Is larkspur poisonous to dogs and cats?
Yes. It is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Contact a vet straight away if a pet eats any part of it.
When should I sow larkspur in Pakistan?
October to early November on the plains and November in Karachi. In the hills, sow in March.
Why are my larkspur seeds not germinating?
They germinate slowly in cool soil and can take two to three weeks. Warm soil, deep sowing or old seed also slow them down.
Can larkspur be transplanted?
It dislikes it. Sow in place, or in paper cups planted whole, so the root is never disturbed.
How long does larkspur take to flower?
On the plains, an October sowing usually flowers in March or April, around five months later.
Can I grow larkspur in a pot?
Yes, in a deep 12 inch pot with three or four plants, sown in place and kept away from children and pets.
Is larkspur the same as delphinium?
They are close relatives. Annual larkspur suits our plains winters; perennial delphinium needs cool summers.