About
Arctium lappa is a tall, upright plant that can reach heights of up to 2 meters. It features clusters of purplish flowerheads along its leafy main branches, complemented by broad, dull green leaves. The plant produces distinctive brown seedheads.
About the genus
Arctium consists of sturdy biennials with a deep taproot, featuring broad, fuzzy leaves and either solitary or grouped flower heads that resemble thistles. These flowers develop into burr-like fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Herbs - Culinary
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Eurasia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Ideally grow in moist soil and full sun or partial shade. It will tolerate wide range of soils
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed; sow in situ in the autumn or early spring. Alternatively, sow in a tray and transplant before the tap-root develops. To improve germination pre- soak or scarify the seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free