Fiber & Crops· Linum usitatissimum

Flax Growing Guide

Dual-purpose crop grown for linen fiber and linseed oil. One of the oldest cultivated plants. Canada is top oilseed flax producer; Belgium/France lead fiber flax. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

How Long Does Flax Take to Grow?

Flax is typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting.

100

Days to Harvest

1,460

kg seed or 5000 kg fiber straw/hectare

moderate

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

15-22°C optimal

Frost Tolerance

moderate

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Heat Tolerance

low

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: loam, silt loam, clay loam

pH range: 6 - 6.5 (optimal: 6.3)

Drainage: good

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding

Planting Depth

2 cm

Planting Season

spring

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

550 - 6,690 kg seed or 5000 kg fiber straw/ha

Market Demand

growing

Profitability

medium

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

flax flea beetle
linseed budfly
aphids

Common Diseases

Fusarium wilt
pasmo
rust

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

For fiber: pull plants at early maturity (don't cut) to preserve full stem length

For seed: swath at 75% brown bolls, combine when dry

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Flax take to grow?

Flax typically takes 100 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 7 days. The best planting season is spring.

What soil does Flax need?

Flax grows best in loam, silt loam, clay loam soil with a pH of 6-6.5. Good drainage is required.

What temperature does Flax need?

Flax grows best at 15-22°C. Frost tolerance: moderate. Heat tolerance: low.

What is the expected yield for Flax?

Across 17 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Flax range from 550 to 6,690 kg seed or 5000 kg fiber straw/hectare, with a median of 1,460. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.