Cotton Thistle (Onopordum Acanthium) is a biennial herb in the Asteraceae family with moderate care difficulty. It requires low watering and full sun light in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. This plant is safe for cats and dogs.

Onopordum acanthium is a biennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia, known for its spiny leaves and large purple flower heads.

Cotton Thistle

Cotton Thistle

Onopordum Acanthium

Onopordum acanthium is a biennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia, known for its spiny leaves and large purple flower heads.

Quick Facts

Type
herb
Lifecycle
biennial
Care Difficulty
Moderate
Water Needs
Low
Light
Full Sun
Hardiness Zones
5-9

Safety

🐕
Pet Safe
⚠️
Not Child Safe
Non-Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:loamy, sandy, gravelly
Indoor:No
Outdoor:Yes
Garden Use:specimen, pollinator attractor, erosion control

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Cotton Thistle

Jan
Prune
Feb
Fertilize
Mar
Repot
Apr
Water+
May
...
Jun
...
Jul
...
Aug
...
Sep
...
Oct
...
Nov
...
Dec
...

Expert Care Tips

Pro tips from botanists and plant experts

Watering Tip

Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1 inch deep. Water only when the top layer feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Humidity Trick

Group plants together to create...

Growth Hack

Rotate your plant every...

Photo Gallery10+ photos

Cotton Thistle
Cotton Thistle detail

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Taxonomy

Family:Asteraceae
Genus:Onopordum