Cirsium arvense

RHS Plant Profile
creeping thistle

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creeping thistle RHS
creeping thistle RHS
creeping thistle RHS

Other common names

Californian thistle, Canada thistle, North American cursed thistle, prickly thistle, swamp thistle, way thistle, ysgallen gyffredin

Synonyms

Serratula arvensis

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A fast-spreading perennial reaching 1m in height and colonising by rhizomes. Stems are generally spineless, although leaves are pinnately lobed and spiny. Pinky-lilac flowers, 1-1.5cm across are borne in clusters between June and September and become the classic thistledown for wind dispersal

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Suckering
Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, NE US

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows in disturbed ground or grassy places and provides a food source for a range of insects and birds. It can be a serious weed of agricultural land, spreading by seed and through lateral roots which are brittle and readily re-shoot if broken. However, it is easier to control in a garden situation and may be tolerated in less-cultivated areas for the wildlife it helps to support. See our web page on creeping thistle for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

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