Types of carrots: the 4 main types and 13 varieties to grow

Carrots fall into four main types plus a group of short round ones. Danvers roots are conical and up to 7 inches long. Chantenay roots are short and broad, 5 to 6 inches long, and handle heavy soil best. Nantes roots are cylindrical with a blunt tip and 6 to 7 inches long. Imperator roots are the long, slender store type and need deep, loose soil. Round and miniature types grow only 2 to 3 inches long and suit clay or containers. Match the type to your soil depth first, then pick color and flavor.

Which types of carrots fit your garden? For heavy clay, grow Chantenay or a round type such as Tonda di Parigi. For average soil and a reliable crop, grow Danvers or Nantes. For deep, sandy soil or a raised bed, try Imperator types such as Atomic Red. For color, add Cosmic Purple, Black Nebula, or White Satin. My guide on how to grow carrots covers sowing and thinning.

1. Danvers carrot

The Danvers type is a classic American heirloom, named for Danvers, Massachusetts. University of Maryland Extension describes it as conical, 2 to 2.5 inches across at the top and up to 7 inches long, deep orange with a light center. Young roots have excellent quality but turn fibrous with age.

The best-known variety is the Danvers 126 Carrot (also called Danvers Half Long). Mississippi State University Extension lists it as open pollinated, 6 to 8 inches long, tolerant of high temperatures, and ready in 75 days. Danvers-type varieties include Nutri-Red Carrots and White Satin Carrots.

South Dakota State University Extension notes that shorter, cone-shaped Danvers types are easier to grow and harvest in heavy soil.

“This is the traditional “Bugs Bunny” carrot with broad shoulders and a strong taper to a sharp tip.”

Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds, Hoss Premium Garden Seeds

2. Chantenay carrot

The Chantenay Carrot is a French heirloom type with a stubby conical shape. University of Maryland Extension lists it at 2 to 2.5 inches across the shoulder and 5 to 6 inches long, medium to light orange with a red core. It is better for shallow, heavy soil than the long Imperator types.

The two best-known varieties are Red Cored Chantenay and Royal Chantenay. Mississippi State calls Red Cored Chantenay the choice for heavy soils, with 4- to 6-inch roots ready in 68 days. Chantenay-type varieties include the Kuroda Carrot and the Hercules Carrot.

3. Nantes carrot

The Nantes Carrot is a French heirloom type named for the city of Nantes. University of Maryland Extension describes the roots as cylindrical with a blunt tip, 6 to 7 inches long and 1.5 inches across, bright orange with a small core. Their small tops need careful digging at harvest.

Kansas State University calls Nantes types a favorite of home gardeners for their flavor and quality. The best-known variety is the Scarlet Nantes Carrot. Modern Nantes-type hybrids include Napoli, Bolero, and Romance. Romance holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

4. Imperator carrot

The Imperator Carrot is the long, slender type sold in most grocery stores. Its name is Latin for “commander.” University of Maryland Extension lists the roots at 7 to 8 inches long and 1.5 inches across, and Kansas State gives 8 to 10 inches, with a tapered tip. The Imperator Carrot was named an All-America Selections Winner in 1933 (Source: AAS Winners).

Imperator-type varieties include the Olympus Carrot, Viper Carrot, Envy Carrot, Atomic Red Carrot, and Sugarsnax Carrot. Sugarsnax 54 holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Plant Imperator types in deep, loose soil free of stones. Maryland notes the roots turn woody at full maturity, so pull them at their prime.

5. Bolero carrot

The Bolero Carrot is a Nantes-type hybrid. West Coast Seeds lists bright orange roots up to 8 inches long with the typical blunt Nantes tip, ready in about 75 days. It stores well in the cellar or left in the ground.

6. Cosmic Purple carrot

The Cosmic Purple carrot is a Danvers-type carrot with a purple peel and orange flesh. Wildrose Heritage Seed Company lists the roots at 6 to 8 inches long, ready in 65 to 70 days. Add them to a salad for a colorful crunch!

7. Black Nebula carrot

The Black Nebula carrot is an open-pollinated, Nantes-style carrot that is deep purple all the way through. John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds notes that many so-called black carrots have an orange core, while Black Nebula does not. It takes 75 to 80 days.

8. Rainbow Carrot

The Rainbow Carrot is a single hybrid variety, not a blend, with roots in white, yellow, orange, and coral. Johnny’s Selected Seeds lists it as a Nantes and Imperator cross with tapered roots 7 to 9 inches long.

Rainbow Carrots grow in soft, muted colors. For brighter colors, choose a blend of different carrot seeds, such as Starburst Carrot Seed Blend, Carnival Blend Carrot Seeds, Rainbow Blend Carrot Seeds, or Rainbow Mix Seed Tape.

9. Atomic Red carrot

The Atomic Red Carrot is an open-pollinated, Imperator-style carrot that gets its red color from lycopene. John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds advises harvesting at a slim 8 to 9 inches, about 65 days from sowing. Grow it in loose soil so the roots stay long and straight.

10. Kuroda carrot

The Kuroda Carrot is a Japanese Chantenay-type carrot with stubby, thick-shouldered roots best harvested at 5 inches long, according to John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds.

Cornell’s Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners notes it was bred to withstand heat and lists 85 to 100 days to maturity. As a Chantenay type, it suits heavy soil.

11. Tonda di Parigi carrot

Tonda di Parigi Carrot, which means “Round of Paris” in Italian, is a round Parisian-type heirloom. Fedco Seeds lists the roots at about 1.5 inches across with deep orange color, ready in about 55 days. Given their round shape, they sit outside the four main carrot types. Kansas State recommends these short types for heavy clay or containers.

12. St. Valery carrot

The St. Valery Carrot is a French heirloom with long orange-red roots. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds lists the roots at 10 to 12 inches long, maturing in about 70 days, and recommends at least 16 inches of loose soil for a container crop.

13. White Satin carrot

The White Satin Carrot is a Danvers-type hybrid with white roots. West Coast Seeds lists the roots at up to 10 inches long, ready in about 65 days, and notes that they store and juice well.

How to pick a carrot type for your soil

Soil depth matters more than any other factor. Maryland Extension advises direct seeding into deep, loose, well-drained soil free of rocks and clods. Clay soils, sticks, roots, and stones cause forked and twisted roots, according to Mississippi State.

• Heavy clay or shallow soil: Chantenay, Kuroda, or round types such as Tonda di Parigi.
• Average garden soil: Danvers, Nantes, or Bolero.
• Deep, sandy soil or a raised bed: Imperator types such as Atomic Red, plus long heirlooms such as St. Valery.
• Containers: Round and miniature types, or a deep pot for longer roots.

Carrot seed is slow to sprout, so Maryland suggests sowing a few radish seeds in the row as markers. See my guide on how to grow radishes. If you grow open-pollinated types, you can save carrot seeds for next year.

Types of carrots FAQ

What are the 4 main types of carrots?

Danvers, Chantenay, Nantes, and Imperator. University of Maryland Extension adds a fifth group of miniature and round types.

Which carrot type is best for clay soil?

Chantenay and round types. Their short roots push through heavy soil better than long Imperator roots. Kansas State recommends 2- to 3-inch round types for heavy clay or containers.

Which type of carrot is sold in grocery stores?

Imperator, the main commercial type, with long, slender, tapered roots.

What is the sweetest carrot type?

Kansas State singles out Nantes types for excellent flavor and quality. Taste also depends on weather, and Kansas State notes carrots harvested in cool weather are tender and sweet.

How long do carrots take to grow?

Maryland Extension lists 65 to 75 days from seed. Round types such as Tonda di Parigi can be ready in about 55 days, and Kuroda can take 85 to 100.