How to Plant Milk Thistle Seed

Milk thistle, also known as holy thistle or lady's thistle, is a member of the daisy family. A native plant of southern Europe, milk thistle now grows all over the world. It blossoms with purple flowering heads that are edible, and the seeds are often used as an alternative medicine to treat liver and other health problems. Milk thistle grows wild in many areas, and the plant is not difficult to grow at home.

Instructions

1. Plant milk thistle seeds 3 mm deep, or about a 1/10 of an inch, if you are starting the plant outdoors. Plant just after the last frost if you are using annual seeds, and in the early summer if you are using biennial seeds.

2. Plant the seeds in pots about two months before you will transplant them outside if you want to start them indoors. Seeds germinate in about three weeks at temperatures between 53 and 59 degrees F.

3. Leave the milk thistle to grow on its own, as it can tolerate wet or dry soil. Rainwater is enough to keep it healthy.

4. Remove any flower heads that develop a white pappus tuft near the end of the growing season as the flower dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Milk thistle grows to a height of approximately 4 feet.

• Milk thistle can thrive in virtually any soil, and in sunny or partly shady conditions.

References

• Plant Biology: Guide to Growing Milk Thistle
• Global Healing Center: Tips for Growing Milk Thistle