Greater Burdock
Arctium lappa
Also listed as Lappa major, Arctium majus
Also known as Great Burdock, Burdock, Harlock
Climate Match for your location
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A tall biennial or short-lived perennial with large, coarse leaves and purple thistle-like flowers that attract pollinators. The root is edible and has been used in herbal medicine and cuisine.
Why grow it
Greater burdock produces a deep taproot with culinary and medicinal value, making it useful for permaculture systems that leverage deep-rooting plants for soil building and nutrient cycling. It establishes readily from seed and requires minimal inputs once established, unlike many cultivated root crops. The plant's robust foliage suppresses weeds in its vicinity, while its flowers provide reliable late-season pollen and nectar for pollinators.
Watch out for
Burdock's first-year rosette stage requires adequate moisture and consistent weeding to prevent competition, as seedlings are slow to establish vigor. The large taproot can be difficult to harvest completely in compacted or clay-heavy soils, and any root fragments left behind may regrow in subsequent seasons. Plant placement should account for its tendency to self-seed if flowers go to seed, as viable seeds can persist in soil for several years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Takinogawa Long is a popular Japanese cultivar bred for long, tender roots. Gobo and Russian varieties are also common, differing mainly in root length and texture.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tall biennial or short-lived perennial with large, coarse leaves and purple thistle-like flowers that attract pollinators. The root is edible and has been used in herbal medicine and cuisine.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Greater Burdock grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Greater burdock produces a deep taproot with culinary and medicinal value, making it useful for permaculture systems that leverage deep-rooting plants for soil building and nutrient cycling. It establishes readily from seed and requires minimal inputs once established, unlike many cultivated root crops. The plant's robust foliage suppresses weeds in its vicinity, while its flowers provide reliable late-season pollen and nectar for pollinators.
Watch out for
Burdock's first-year rosette stage requires adequate moisture and consistent weeding to prevent competition, as seedlings are slow to establish vigor. The large taproot can be difficult to harvest completely in compacted or clay-heavy soils, and any root fragments left behind may regrow in subsequent seasons. Plant placement should account for its tendency to self-seed if flowers go to seed, as viable seeds can persist in soil for several years.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
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:
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Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Takinogawa Long is a popular Japanese cultivar bred for long, tender roots. Gobo and Russian varieties are also common, differing mainly in root length and texture.