Scotch Thistle

Scotch Thistle: variety and characteristics

Scotch Thistle (Silybum marianum) is an annual herb of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). Scotch thistle is a biennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 2 m. tall.

The root is thick and reaches over 30 cm.

The stem is upright and branched, with spines along the edge.

First-year plants grow as a rosette of leaves, with broad elliptical outgrowths on both sides.

In the second year the plants flower, set fruit and die.

Scotch thistle is a remedy for reducing swelling of any origin, for counteracting gastrointestinal infections, and an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent owing to the presence of isochlorogenic acid and triterpenoids, equivalent to aspirin for lowering temperature.

Milk thistle is a medicinal plant whose seeds are used to support the liver.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 85%
• Seeds per packet: 18–25 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: April and May; direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Scotch Thistle

Scotch Thistle seeds are sown in April and May. 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 Scotch Thistle

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 2 cm
• Spacing: 40–60 cm
• Germination: 10–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

The plant grows on rocky or sandy soils rich in ammonium salts and in bright, open places. Sowing: April–May. You can sow directly in spring or autumn. Sow on the surface of well-prepared soil. Cover with a fine layer of soil. Scotch thistle flowers in June–September, and the fruits ripen in July–October.

Sow directly in spring in the sun.

Harvest and use

The flower heads are picked when the seeds ripen.

Frequently asked questions

When should Scotch Thistle be sown?

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

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 18–25 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 85%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.