milk thistle
Silybum marianum
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A tall, thistle-like plant with spiny purple-pink flower heads and distinctive white-veined green foliage. Valued for ornamental appeal and medicinal seed pods, it thrives in hot, dry conditions with minimal care.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Most milk thistle grown is the species itself rather than named cultivars; plants are selected primarily for seed yield and silymarin content rather than ornamental traits.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Function & Care
Edible Parts
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tall, thistle-like plant with spiny purple-pink flower heads and distinctive white-veined green foliage. Valued for ornamental appeal and medicinal seed pods, it thrives in hot, dry conditions with minimal care.
Climate Match for your location
See how well milk thistle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Function & Care
Edible Parts
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Most milk thistle grown is the species itself rather than named cultivars; plants are selected primarily for seed yield and silymarin content rather than ornamental traits.