Scorzonera hispanica is biannual and sometimes perennial. It is fundamentally self-fertilizing, but cross-fertilization with other sorts of black salsify is common. A safe distance of at least 500 m from other blooming black salsifies is necessary to keep each sort pure.

Select good, uniform, healthy roots with no tendencies towards runners. Set them 20 cm apart, directly after harvesting or in early spring after winter storage. The stems grow a metre tall with yellow flowers smelling of vanilla, which change into dandelion-like balls as the seeds ripen. They ripen during several weeks and must be harvested frequently. The ripe seeds remain on the ball for 1-2 days before blowing away. Rub away the bristles and winnow the rubbish.

Good black salsify seeds keep their fertility for 2-3 years.