Purple Kisses, Ammi

Purple Kisses Ammi (Lace Flower) Seed

Rose, burgundy, and chocolate florets form moody lacework
Thousands of tiny flowers compose each rounded cluster
One sowing can flower across much of summer
Airy stems complement nearly every bouquet style

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Daucus carota

Days to maturity

80 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

50 Seeds

About Purple Kisses, Ammi (Lace Flower) Seed, Ammi (Lace Flower) Seed

Produces a large bloom that resembles Queen Anne’s Lace. An absolute hit that looks great with any other flowers in a flower arrangement. The lacy flowers appear in shades of old rose-pink, through burgundy to chocolate. Blooms thousands of tiny flowers on top of 2-4" clusters. The plants bloom for most of the summer from just one planting.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/16"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

Germination Type

A - No Pretreatment

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Biennial

Plant Height

48 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

23,438

Color

Purple, White, Pink

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Ammi develops a taproot, so select its final sunny position before sowing. Prepare crumbly, well-drained soil, remove competing weeds, and avoid rich amendments that create weak, sprawling stems.

Planting

Direct sow Ammi in early spring, or in fall where winters are mild. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8 inch, and keep soil near 60–65°F; germination is often best under cool conditions. Avoid disturbing the taproot: start indoor seedlings in deep cells 6–8 weeks before transplanting and move them while young.

Watering

Supply even moisture from germination through early growth. Once rooted, let the surface dry slightly between thorough soakings; avoid wet foliage late in the day because dense umbels and leaves hold humidity.

Fertilizer

Use compost or a light balanced amendment before sowing. Additional feeding is rarely useful and may produce tall, soft stems that need support instead of improving flower production.

Harvesting

Cut Ammi when the first ring of tiny flowers is open and the umbel has flattened, before pollen sheds heavily. Harvest with gloves and long sleeves because sap can cause skin photosensitivity in sunlight. Place stems in water promptly; mature green seed heads may also be used decoratively.

Tips

Support plants early in windy sites and harvest umbels only after most tiny florets have opened. Wear gloves when handling sap in sunlight, as Ammi can cause a phototoxic skin reaction.

Pests & Diseases

Ammi may develop damping-off, powdery mildew, Botrytis blight, or fungal leaf spots. Look for collapsed seedlings, white coating, gray mold, or spreading brown lesions. Begin with clean trays and mix, avoid overcrowding, irrigate at the base early in the day, support airflow, and remove infected foliage before spores spread.

Aphids gather beneath Ammi umbels, thrips scar flowers, and leafhoppers may distort new growth. Check stems before cutting and dislodge small colonies with water. Remove badly distorted plants, control nearby carrot-family weeds, and avoid treatments while beneficial insects are visiting the umbels.