Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Silybum marianum
Other names
Milk thistle, St Mary's thistle , Mary's thistle , Our Lady's milk thistle , Our Lady's thistle , Lady's thistle , Leaves of Mary , Blessed Mary's thistle, Blessed thistle, Holy thistle, Carduus marianus, Cardus marianus, Mediterranean milk thistle, Variegated thistle , Saint Mary's thistle , Marian thistle, Scotch thistle, Lady's milk
Genus
Silybum Silybum
Species
S. marianum - S. marianum is a biennial plant with lobed, prickly, ovate leaves that have conspicuous, white veins. It bears, purple-pink, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Silybum marianum is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Rosette
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
White, Veined, Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in late spring or early summer.
Propagation methods
Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in poor or moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Considered an invasive weed in many introduced areas.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Silybum marianum
Other names
Milk thistle, St Mary's thistle , Mary's thistle , Our Lady's milk thistle , Our Lady's thistle , Lady's thistle , Leaves of Mary , Blessed Mary's thistle, Blessed thistle, Holy thistle, Carduus marianus, Cardus marianus, Mediterranean milk thistle, Variegated thistle , Saint Mary's thistle , Marian thistle, Scotch thistle, Lady's milk
Genus
Silybum Silybum
Species
S. marianum - S. marianum is a biennial plant with lobed, prickly, ovate leaves that have conspicuous, white veins. It bears, purple-pink, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Native to
Mediterranean, Southwestern Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Rosette
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
White, Veined, Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in late spring or early summer.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in poor or moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Considered an invasive weed in many introduced areas.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Tom Dixon and IKEA are curious to see how we can make a positive impact on what we put on our plates, and hence our planet by exploring urban growing. Through our garden, we will use democratic… read more
By garden designer Tom Massey. The Lemon Tree Trust, a UK and US-based not-for-profit organisation, has been working in the refugee camps of Kurdistan in Northern Iraq since 2015. This summer it… read more
By garden designer Kate Savill & Tamara Bridge. Inspired by its home on Falls Farm in Northamptonshire, ‘The Warner Edwards Garden’ reflects the surrounding landscape of the farm. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login