CARROT-PURPLE DRAGON
CARROT-PURPLE DRAGON
A$3.50
Availability: 250 in stock
Carota Sativa
CARROT-PURPLE DRAGON is a striking heirloom variety producing deep purple roots with a contrasting orange-yellow core. Known for its sweet, rich flavour and crisp texture, this eye-catching carrot is perfect for fresh eating, juicing, and adding colour to salads. High in antioxidants, it’s as nutritious as it is unique. Easy to grow in loose, well-drained soil, keep evenly moist but not waterlogged for best results.
How to Grow Carrot-Purple Dragon
- Grow in full sun in loose, well-drained soil. Remove stones and mix in compost or well-rotted manure.
- Sow direct from early spring to mid-autumn. Sow thinly, 1 cm deep, spacing 10 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Keep soil moist.
- Thin seedlings to 5 cm apart once they reach 5-7 cm tall.
- Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist. Inconsistent watering can cause splitting.
- Purple Dragon are light feeders – apply a balanced fertiliser occasionally if needed.
- Harvest in 70-80 days. Harvest when roots are about 2-3 cm thick.
- Store by removing tops and store in the fridge. Keeps for several weeks.
Additional growing tips for Carrot-Purple Dragon
- Don’t add fresh manure: This causes forked and misshapen roots – always use well-rotted compost only.
- Firm soil lightly after sowing: Helps maintain good seed-to-soil contact for better germination.
- Slow germination trick: Mix carrot seed with a little sand to help spread evenly and avoid clumping.
- Keep soil surface damp: Carrot seeds can take 10–21 days to germinate – don’t let the topsoil dry out.
- Use a board trick: Place a board over the row after sowing to retain moisture – remove once seedlings appear.
- Avoid transplanting: Carrots dislike root disturbance – always direct sow.
- Harvest young for best colour: Purple carrots can lose colour intensity if left too long.
- Cooler weather improves colour: Deep purple colour develops best in cooler temperatures.
- Rotate crops yearly: Helps prevent pests and improves soil health.
- Companion tip: Grow near onions or garlic to help deter pests naturally.
Heritage of Carrot-Purple Dragon
Purple Dragon is a modern heirloom-style carrot developed in the United States, drawing on ancient purple carrot lines that originated in Central Asia and the Middle East, where purple carrots were first cultivated centuries ago. This variety combines the rich colour and high antioxidant content of traditional purple carrots with improved sweetness and texture. Its distinctive deep purple skin and orange core make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to grow something both historic in origin and visually striking.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Climate Search Tool
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
30 - 45 cm (12 - 18 inches)
Season of Interest
Spring to Autumn
Temperature Range
20 - 24°C (61 - 75°F)
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Bienial
Frost Hardy / Tender
Frost Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Sow Direct
Soil
Well-drained, sandy loam
pH
6.0 - 6.8
Soil Temperature
16 - 20 °C (60 - 68 °F)
Seed Preparation
No pre-treatment necessary.
Sowing Depth
0.6 cm (0.25 inches)
Plant Spacing
5 - 10 cm (2 - 4 inches)
Row spacing
30 - 40 cm (12 - 16 inches)
Watering
Keep soil moist, not soggy
Germination Time (Days)
10 - 20 days
Harvest Time (Days)
65 - 75 days
Good Companion Plants
Onions, Tomatoes, Lettuce, and Leeks.
Bad Companion Plants
Dill and Fennel.
Pests
Carrot Rust Fly,Aphids,Cutworms,Root-Knot Nematodes,Wireworms,Slugs and Snails
Diseases
Alternaria Leaf Blight,Powdery Mildew,Damping-Off,Root-Knot Nematodes,Bacterial Soft Rot,Sclerotinia Rot (White Mold)
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When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
