Also known as Flax · 95 saves
Linum
Linum, the genus most gardeners know as flax. We track 4 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 4 most-saved Linum varieties
4 species of Linum
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Linum in Sow
Save the Linum you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Linum
Whats common across all Linum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them.
The Linum year
- PlantMarch and April75% of varieties
Direct sow seeds in prepared soil after danger of hard frost
- PruneAugust50% of varieties
Shear back by half after the main flush of blooms to tidy the plant.
- DeadheadJuly and August50% of varieties
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, but leave some to self-seed.
- Check for PestsMay and June50% of varieties
Check young seedlings for slugs and snails during damp spring weather.
Do
- Water consistently during dry periods 🌱
- Prune to improve airflow and prevent disease
- Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in early growth
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
Avoid
- Don't overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Avoid planting in heavy, waterlogged clay soils
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Linum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curling and yellowing leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs and Snails | Irregular holes chewed in young foliage and stems, accompanied by silvery slime trails. | Apply iron phosphate bait around the base of seedlings or hand-pick pests during damp evenings. |
| Cutworms | Young seedlings are chewed off cleanly at or just below the soil line. | Protect young plants with physical collars or hand-pick pests from the soil at night. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use sulfur fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Root Rot | Yellowing foliage, wilting stems, and collapse of the plant due to decayed, mushy roots. | Plant in sharply draining soil and avoid overwatering; discard infected plants immediately as there is no cure. |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage and mushy, black roots in wet or heavy soils. | Plant in sharply drained soil, avoid overwatering, and discard severely affected plants. |
Making more Linum
Seed
- Tuck seeds about 1/4 inch deep in prepared soil (2 weeks).
- Keep soil moist during germination period (~10 days).
Cuttings
- Select healthy stems in spring.
- Mist cuttings regularly and root in moist soil (6 weeks).
Linum questions
How many types of Linum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Linum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 95 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Linum grow in?
Across its varieties, Linum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Linum bloom?
Most Linum varieties bloom in late spring to summer, late spring to mid-summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Linum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.