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Many carrot cultivars today were domestically developed from the wild carrot (Daucus carota) due to their edible leaves, stems, and taproots. Carrot plays a significant role in many cuisines around the world, building flavors in casseroles, soups, and stews.
Similar to celery, coriander, cumin, parsley, and parsnip, the root crop carrot belongs to the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family under the genus Apium. In the kitchen, carrot is one of the three flavor-building ingredients in mirepoix.
Apart from their innate crunch, there are other things to love about carrots. Consuming them regularly provides nutrients for your health. Beta-carotene in carrots is converted by the body into vitamin A, which fuels immune function and improves eyesight.
At the grocery store or farmers market, carrots typically have an orange color, but growing carrots in your garden will introduce you to a rainbow of heirloom selections.
Get a clearer picture of all the popular carrot varieties with our comprehensive guide!
Common Carrot Types
To better understand the main types of carrots, let’s first differentiate heirloom and hybrid varieties.
Heirloom and Hybrid Carrots
Carrot varieties such as Little Fingers, Scarlet Nantes, Solar Yellow, and Tendersweet are considered heirloom, being free from cross-breeding for at least 40 to 50 years. When planted, you can expect similar characteristics with the parent plant as heirloom varieties are true to seed. Seed saving is historically carried out by ethnic, familial, religious, or other social units in different geographic regions.
If you’re aiming to mass-produce carrots, be cautious with heirloom carrots due to their disease and pest susceptibility. Some gardeners rely on companion plants to help alleviate these problems.
Others opt for hybrid varieties like Coventry, Naval, and Yaya.
In hybrid carrots, agriculturists intentionally crossbreed two varieties to enhance growth, resistance, yield, and other plant traits. Some hybrid carrot varieties have been bred to contain other specific traits on color, flavor, and texture. These improvements are advantageous for growers who do large-scale farming.
However, hybrid plants do not have a permanent seed line. Agriculturists have to manually crossbreed the same parent varieties to create more hybrid seeds.
Other Popular Carrot Groupings
Here’s a list of carrot varieties, classified according to certain characteristics.
Types of Carrot Colors
Carrots are not exclusively orange in color. Other varieties come in purple, red, and yellow.
| Carrot Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Orange Carrots | Brilliance (True Leaf Market) Danvers 126 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Royal Chantenay (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Tendersweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Purple Carrots | Black Nebula (True Leaf Market Purple (True Leaf Market) Purple Haze Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Purplesnax (Territorial Seed Company) Purple Sun (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Red Carrots | Atomic Red (True Leaf Market) Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Kyoto Red (Rare Seeds) Red Samurai (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Redsun (Territorial Seed Company) |
| White/Yellow Carrots | Amarillo (Rare Seeds) Lunar White (True Leaf Market) Solar Yellow (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Snow Man (Territorial Seed Company) Yellowstone (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Carrot Flavors
Some carrot cultivars are sweeter than others.
| Carrot Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Sweet Carrots | Candysnax (Territorial Seed Company) Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Naval (Territorial Seed Company) Negovia (Territorial Seed Company) Tendersweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Earthy/Mild Carrots | Cosmic Purple (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Musico (Territorial Seed Company) Napoli (Territorial Seed Company) Scarlet Nantes (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Speedo (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Carrot Shapes
While elongated carrots are sold commercially, round and stocky varieties tend to come in homegrown markets.
| Carrot Shapes | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Bulbous Carrots | Oxheart (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) Parisian (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Rondo (Territorial Seed Company) Thumbelina (Eden Brothers) |
| Conical/Cylindrical Carrots | Adana (Territorial Seed Company) Autumn King or Flakkee (True Leaf Market) Eskimo (Territorial Seed Company) Imperator 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Kuroda Long 8” (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) |
| Short/Stocky Carrots | Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Coventry (Territorial Seed Company) Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Royal Chantenay (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Carrot Textures
When chopped, carrots add crunch to recipes. The texture gradually mellows once cooked.
| Carrot Textures | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Crisp Carrots | Danvers 126 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Mignon (Territorial Seed Company) Mokum (Territorial Seed Company) Scarlet Nantes (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Solar Yellow (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Tender Carrots | Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Imperator 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Lunar White (True Leaf Market) Purple Haze Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Geographic Origins
Researchers suggest that carrots originated from Europe and Asia. As centuries passed, this vegetable was continually developed, spreading to other parts of the world.
| Geographic Origins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| European and Mediterranean Carrots | Oxheart (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) Purple Sun (Territorial Seed Company) Rodelika (Territorial Seed Company) Royal Chantenay (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Yaya (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Central, North, and South American Carrots | Danvers 126 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Imperator 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Mokum (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Asian Carrots | Dragon (Territorial Seed Company) Kuroda Long 8” (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Kyoto Red (Rare Seeds) Manpukuji (Rare Seeds) Red Samurai (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Culinary Uses
Different types of carrots can be enjoyed in creative cooking.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Carrots for Raw Applications | Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Purplesnax (Territorial Seed Company) Red Samurai (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Rodelika (Territorial Seed Company) Tendersweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Carrots for Juicing | Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Royal Chantenay (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Shin Kuroda 5” (True Leaf Market) Solar Yellow (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Carrots for Sautéing/Stir-fry | Dragon (Territorial Seed Company) Imperator 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Kuroda Long 8” (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Parisian (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Yellowstone (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Carrots for Soups/Stews | Danvers 126 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Thumbelina (Eden Brothers) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Hybrid or F1 carrot varieties tend to be more resistant to common carrot diseases.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease Resistant Carrots | Bolero (Territorial Seed Company) Coventry (Territorial Seed Company) Mokum (Territorial Seed Company) Musico (Territorial Seed Company) Negovia (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Susceptible Carrots | Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Scarlet Nantes (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
Like other root vegetables, carrots have varying needs depending on the cultivar. See which variety fits your garden capacity below.
| Preferred Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Container Carrots | Red Cored Chantenay (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Little Fingers (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Nantes Mini Core (True Leaf Market) Parisian (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Shin Kuroda 5” (True Leaf Market) |
| Greenhouse Carrots | Danvers 126 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Imperator 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Royal Chantenay (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Solar Yellow (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Tendersweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Field Carrots | Bolero (Territorial Seed Company) Musico (Territorial Seed Company) Redsun (Territorial Seed Company) Rodelika (Territorial Seed Company) Snow Man (Territorial Seed Company) |
Popular Varieties of Chantenay Carrots
This vigorous carrot variety can power through clay or rocky soil types. Be aware — most Chantenay-type varieties develop a fibrous or woody texture after their maturity period. For best results, pick them during their optimal harvest period.
| Variety | Description | Hardiness Zone | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caracas | Growing 4 to 4.5 inches long, the Caracas carrot variety is an excellent choice for container planting. The resulting root crop has uniformly conical shapes, perfect for recipes requiring miniature carrots. | 3 | 55 to 60 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Red Cored Chantenay | Red Cored Chantenay is a variety resistant to forking and splitting. Expect good storage carrots when planting this variety, which can reach 5 to 7 inches long at best. | 3 to 12 zones | 70 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Oxheart | The Oxheart carrot variety can weigh up to a pound with a distinct heart shape. It’s a good option for growing in containers and tolerates sandy soil. | 4 to 8 zones | 80 to 90 days | Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds |
| Royal Chantenay | Royal Chantenay has been a reliable, open-pollinated French variety that has produced sweet-flavored orange crops with durable tops since the 19th century. | 2 to 10 zones | 65 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Shin Kuroda 5” | Derived from the Japanese Chantenay-type Shin Kuroda, this variety can thrive in shallow soils and still grow 5-inch roots. Especially sweet, Shin Kuroda is excellent for canning, juicing, or pickling. | Suitable for all USDA hardiness zones | 75 to 80 days | True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Danvers Carrots
This carrot type has all the generic characteristics of a classic carrot — long, slender, and typically orange in color. Originally bred in Massachusetts, Danvers were later enhanced to endure poor soil conditions, and thus, became a popular option among home gardeners.
| Variety | Description | Hardiness Zone | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danvers 126 | An improved heirloom variety from Danvers, Massachusetts, the Danvers 126 carrot grows thinner root crops, reaching about 4 to 8 inches in length. In the 1940s, this variety was further enhanced for a more bountiful yield and uniform crop shape. | Zone 3 to 10 | 65 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Imperator Carrots
Imperator carrot varieties prefer a tilted and well-drained loamy soil to efficiently grow. Popular varieties of this type tend to lean on the sweeter side.
| Variety | Description | Hardiness Zone | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candysnax | Candysnax is an incredibly sweet, Imperator-type carrot with resistance to Alternaria and Cercospora blight, and Alternaria stem canker. | Zone 4 to 9 | 65 to 70 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Giants of Colmar | The open-pollinated Giants of Colmar variety offers fresh and crisp produce, which can grow efficiently in most seasons — even during winter. Enjoy carrots of 11 to 12 inches long under good conditions. | Zone 3 to 10 | 75 to 80 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Imperator 58 | Imperator 58 is an all-rounder variety commonly available in supermarkets. It provides a crunchy bite punctuated by the classic carrot sweetness. In 1933, All-America Selections crowned Imperator 58 as a vegetable winner. | Zone 3 to 9 zones | 65 to 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Purplesnax | Purplesnax is an eye-catching variety with a deep-purple exterior and bright golden-yellow interior. Developed as a hybrid, it has resistance to bolting. | Zone 2 to 11 | 70 to 75 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Red Samurai | This Imperator carrot variety can reach up to 12 inches long. Due to its sweet taste, this variety is processed as carrot juice or sautéed with other vegetables and sauces. | Zone 3 to 10 | 70 to 90 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Nantes Carrots
A pillar in French gourmet, the blunt-tipped Nantes varieties come in uniformly cylindrical shape and a smooth exterior.
| Variety | Description | Hardiness Zone | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolero | Bolero is a remarkable F1 hybrid variety with high resistance to early Alternaria blight and powdery mildew. Additionally, it has intermediate resistance to Cercospora blight and cavity spots. | Zone 3 to 10 | 75 to 80 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Romance | Sturdy green foliage tops this orange carrot variety for an easy harvest. | Suitable for all USDA hardiness zones | 75 to 80 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Scarlet Nantes | Scarlet Nantes is a superb juicing carrot due to its coreless interior and medium size. | Zone 3 to 10 | 70 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Speedo | Impervious to bolting, Speedo has intermediate resistance to Alternaria and Cercospora blight. The resulting crop tends to be uniform in size (about 7 to 8 inches long) with blunt ends and mild flavor. | Zone 3 to 10 | 65 to 70 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Yaya | Yaya is an F1 hybrid with excellent ground hold and intermediate resistance to black rot and Cercospora blight. | Zone 3 to 10 | 60 to 65 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Other Popular Varieties of Carrots
Can’t get enough of carrots? See other varieties below.
Popular Varieties of Ball or Mini Carrots
Miniature carrots and varieties shaped like radishes also exist. These carrots are some of the best varieties for container planting.
| Variety | Description | Hardiness Zone | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parisian | If you have a rocky garden soil or limited garden space, consider planting the Parisian carrot variety. This French heirloom uniquely yields round carrots with a softer and sweeter flesh. | Zone 3 to 10 | 60 to 65 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Thumbelina | Small and sweet, Thumbelina is a 1992 All-America Selections winner. Root crops from this variety are typically golf-sized — no peeling needed when cooked. Don’t underestimate its small size. | Zone 2 to 10 | 50 to 70 days | Eden Brothers |
FAQ About Types of Carrots
Which carrot type is ideal for juicing?
Danvers- and Nantes-type have a great selection of varieties for juicing. Scarlet Nantes makes juicing easier due to its coreless interior.
What are the best carrot varieties for container planting?
Some of the best container carrot varieties include Red Cored Chantenay, Little Fingers, Nantes Mini Core, Parisian, and Thumbelina. These carrots tend to yield carrots with manageable sizes that can flourish in small spaces efficiently.
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