Common Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Also listed as Carduus amplexicaulis, Sonchus angustissimus
Also known as Annual Sowthistle, Sow Thistle, Smooth Sow-thistle
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Sow-thistle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A common annual or winter annual weed with yellow flowers and milky sap, often found in disturbed areas and gardens. Readily self-seeds and can be eaten as a potherb when young.
Why grow it
Common sow-thistle offers reliable cool-season greens with minimal input, thriving in poor soils where many cultivated greens struggle. Its self-seeding habit and tolerance of disturbed ground make it useful for quick ground cover or fallow management, though gardeners seeking more refined leaf texture or extended harvest windows may prefer cultivated chicories or dandelion varieties. The milky sap and bitter taste appeal to those accustomed to Mediterranean potherb traditions.
Watch out for
Common sow-thistle establishes readily from seed in disturbed soil and may require repeated removal to prevent populations from building up in garden beds. The milky sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, so wear gloves when handling plants in bulk. Young leaves are edible when properly identified and prepared, but harvest before flowering to avoid bitterness.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A common annual or winter annual weed with yellow flowers and milky sap, often found in disturbed areas and gardens. Readily self-seeds and can be eaten as a potherb when young.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Sow-thistle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common sow-thistle offers reliable cool-season greens with minimal input, thriving in poor soils where many cultivated greens struggle. Its self-seeding habit and tolerance of disturbed ground make it useful for quick ground cover or fallow management, though gardeners seeking more refined leaf texture or extended harvest windows may prefer cultivated chicories or dandelion varieties. The milky sap and bitter taste appeal to those accustomed to Mediterranean potherb traditions.
Watch out for
Common sow-thistle establishes readily from seed in disturbed soil and may require repeated removal to prevent populations from building up in garden beds. The milky sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, so wear gloves when handling plants in bulk. Young leaves are edible when properly identified and prepared, but harvest before flowering to avoid bitterness.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.