Marsh thistle

Cirsium palustre

Cirsium

Asteraceae

Native Plants

Zone 4–10

🐾 Pet-Safe

🌱 Beginner Friendly

This tall thistle produces purple flower heads that are excellent for wildlife gardens and wetland areas. Thrives in moist soils and partial shade with minimal care once established. Can spread naturally, making it ideal for naturalized plantings.

Care Requirements

Care Level

Low

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Growth Rate

Moderate

Mature Height

24″ – 60″

Soil

sandy loam

Life Cycle

Perennial

Spacing

24″

Watering Schedule

Every 7-10 Days • Water Moderately, Prefers Consistently Moist Soil

Soil pH

5 – 8

Temperature

-30° – 95°F

Mature Spread

up to 48″

Root Depth

Deep

Foliage

Medium

Propagation: Seed

Ecology & Origin

Native to

Albania

Altay

Austria

Azores

Baltic States

Belarus

Belgium

British Columbia

Central European Rus

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

East European Russia

Finland

France

Føroyar

Germany

Great Britain

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Attracts

🐝 Bees

🐝 Butterflies

🐝 Birds

Sources

Data: trefle, usda