200 Spear Thistle Seeds (Cirsium vulgare) – Pollinator-Friendly Biennial Flower

Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), also known as Bull Thistle, is a striking biennial plant that adds architectural interest and vibrant color to wildflower gardens and naturalized areas. Its tall stems are topped with distinctive, spiky purple flower heads that attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The plant's deeply lobed, prickly leaves form a bold rosette in its first year, followed by towering flower stalks in the second.

Ideal for meadow plantings, wildlife gardens, and cottage-style borders, Spear Thistle is a valuable addition for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly plants. Its tolerance of poor soils and drought makes it a resilient choice for challenging spots.

Plant Features

• Biennial life cycle: forms a rosette in year one, blooms in year two
• Spiky purple flower heads from summer to early fall
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects
• Deeply lobed, prickly foliage adds texture and interest
• Tolerant of poor, dry soils once established

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Cirsium vulgare
• Plant Type: Biennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, poor to average soil
• Water Requirements: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
• Bloom Season: Summer to early fall
• Mature Height: 2–5 feet
• Spacing: 18–24 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow Spear Thistle seeds outdoors in fall or early spring, lightly covering them with soil as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, which typically takes 14–21 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C). Once seedlings are established, thin them to the recommended spacing. Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots develop, then reduce watering as plants become drought tolerant. Mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Deadhead spent flowers to prevent unwanted self-seeding if desired.

What's Included

200 Spear (Bull) Thistle seeds (Cirsium vulgare).