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

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Drummond's Thistle should be watered thoroughly and allowed to dry between waterings. Water every 2 to 3 weeks during periods of active growth, and reduce watering during winter and summer dormancy. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy; water until it runs out of the drainage holes in the container.

sunlight

Drummond's Thistle prefers full sun; however, it can tolerate some shade. To thrive, it needs 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, especially during the growing season (May to September). This species should be planted in an open, sunny spot. During the offseason, it's okay to provide slightly less sunlight; however, it's best to keep the plant out of full shade.

pruning

Drummond's Thistle is best pruned right after the main flowering period, or in early summer before the plant starts setting seed. Prune back the dead flower heads to prevent seeding, and avoid pruning any new growth coming from the center of the plant. Pruning the dead flower heads off the plant will also help stimulate new foliage growth and encourage the plant to fill in any bare spots. Avoid removing more than 1-third of the total plant material at once as it can stress the plant. It is best to only prune back stems that are at least 1-third of the size of the main stem.

Season

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

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.