Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial

Cirsium vulgare
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

spear thistle

A handsome biennial that rises to a metre in height, the spear thistle bears spiny stems and pinnately lobed, pointed leaves. Pinkish-purple thistle flowers bloom singly or in clusters from midsummer through to early autumn

Other common names
bank thistle
bird thistle
see moreblue thistle
boar thistle
bull thistle
bur thistle
button thistle
horse thistle
plume thistle
march ysgallen
Synonyms
Cirsium lanceolatum
Carduus lanceolatus
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N hemisphere

How to grow

Cultivation

Naturally occuring in disturbed ground or grassy places, spear thistle provides a food source for a range of insects and birds. Its large, spiny leaf rosettes, and ability to spread rapidly by seed, can make it a serious agricultural weed. However, it can be tolerated in less-cultivated parts of the garden for its wildlife value and handsome looks - just watch out for the very sharp spines. See creeping thistle for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required, but prompt deadheading will help keep it under control

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.