Species Edible Thistle
purple-pink flower with brown-yellow bud, green leaves and burgundy stem

Edible Thistle

Cirsium edule var. macounii

Edible Thistle, otherwise known as Cirsium edule var. macounii, is an edible wildflower found in North America. Growing up to 4ft tall, this plant has rugged, deep-green, spiny leaves and an abundance of purple-pink flowers. It is edible raw or cooked, and even its leaves are edible. The tiny flower heads can be steamed and eaten like a vegetable or added to salads. Rich in antioxidants and essential minerals, such as calcium and fiber, edible thistle is a great source of nutrition. Its taproot can be cooked like a potato; its dried leaves can be brewed into a medicinal tea. Edible Thistle is a truly unique plant that offers a wealth of culinary and medicinal uses.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Edible Thistle should be watered moderately, usually once or twice a week. It's important not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Water the soil deeply to ensure the entire root system is moist. During periods of hot weather, the plant may need more frequent or larger amounts of water. Edible Thistle prefers evenly moist soil that is fast draining. Make sure to water in the early morning or late afternoon to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall which can help prevent plant diseases.

sunlight

Edible Thistle (Cirsium edule var. macounii) prefers bright, direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours a day in order to thrive. This plant species is a perennial that grows best when it receives full sunlight with temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. During the spring and summer, Edible Thistle should get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day, and during the winter it should receive 4-5 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best time of the day for this plant species to receive its sunlight is from late morning to early afternoon, when the sun is at its peak intensity. It is important to provide adequate sunlight as this species is not tolerant of too much shade.

pruning

Edible Thistle (Cirsium edule var. macounii) should be pruned in late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins. Pruning should be done carefully to avoid cutting off the flower buds, which will ruin the blooms. Remove any dead or damaged branches, then thin out the bush by cutting back some of the branches, as well as shaping and providing an overall better appearance. Prune the plant down to the desired size, but take care not to cut too far back or it may be difficult to get it back to its normal size. After pruning, it is recommended to apply fertilizer and mulch to help encourage vigorous and healthy new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cirsium edule var. macounii, or Edible Thistle, typically begins in July and continues through August.