trefle.io · Taken Feb 18, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Asteraceae
Common sowthistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Also known as Sonchus mairei, Sonchus oleraceus var. subrotundus, Sonchus pallescens, Sonchus macrotus
Zones 4–10Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Annual · Wildflower · Weed · Hardy · Self-Seeding · Pollinator · Drought · Edible · Dandelion-Like
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyMedicinalAttracts pollinators
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
An incredibly hardy annual that grows in almost any soil condition with minimal care. Self-seeds readily and provides early season nectar for pollinators. Can become weedy if not managed.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Light watering, very drought tolerant once established · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- sandy loam
- Soil pH
- 7.5–8
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4a-10b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 2 ft – 5 ft
- Spread
- 16 in
- Spacing
- 8 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Deep
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Angola, Antipodean Is., Argentina Northeast, Assam, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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