PlantSowGrow
How to grow Teasel
Dipsacus fullonum
A tall, architectural native biennial: lilac flower rings loved by bees, then spiny seed heads that goldfinches feed on all winter.
At a glance: Sow mid April to mid June.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Teasel: what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 4+ hours a day
- Watering
- Keep moist while young; water in dry spells
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- Height
- 1.5–2 m
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A little general feed in spring
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–8
Step by step
- Mid April – mid June · around the last spring frost
Sow Seeds
Sow thinly in trays or pots of seed compost, outdoors in a shady spot or in a cold frame.
- 14–28 days after “Sow Seeds” · Late April – mid May
Check Germination
Seedlings appear in 14–28 days. Keep the compost moist.
- 14–28 days after “Check Germination” · Mid May – late May
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into their own 9 cm pots and grow them on through the summer.
- Early September – early October · 6 weeks before the first autumn frost
Plant Out for Next Year
Plant into their flowering positions 60 cm apart. They make leaves this year and flower next July–August.
- 290–320 days after “Plant Out for Next Year” · Late June – late July
Flowering — Enjoy and Deadhead
Your plants should flower around July–August. Remove faded spikes to encourage more, or leave some to self-seed.
- 45–75 days after “Flowering — Enjoy and Deadhead” · Early August – early September
Clear or Let Self-Seed
After flowering, pull out spent plants — or leave a few to drop seed for next year.
