Greater Burdock

Greater Burdock: variety and characteristics

Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a biennial herb of the Asteraceae family. In the first year the large, lanky dark green leaves of burdock form a strong rosette.

The roots are black on the outside and usually resemble a very long carrot, which can be roasted like a parsnip, finely sliced and stir-fried, or mashed.

Burdock is a traditional medicinal herb used for many ailments. The root, leaves and seeds are often used for skin problems, stomach problems, swollen joints and other conditions.

Burdock (gobo) is a medicinal plant and a Japanese root vegetable.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 90%
• Seeds per packet: 44–60 pcs (0.4 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Greater Burdock

Greater Burdock seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Greater Burdock

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

A biennial herbaceous plant with a thick, spindle-shaped, branched root, grey-brown on the outside and white inside. Stem straight, branched in its upper part, 60-150 cm tall. The seeds can be sown directly in the ground. Alternatively, sow in a seed tray in late winter/early spring in gentle warmth, covering thinly with soil or compost. When large enough, prick out into small 7 cm pots and plant out in the final position when the plants are established. Flowers from June to September.

It needs deep soil.

Harvest and use

The roots are lifted in autumn of the first year.

Frequently asked questions

When should Greater Burdock be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 44–60 seeds, pack size 0.4 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 90%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.