Common Names |
Milk Thistle, St. Mary’s Thistle |
Family |
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) |
Origin |
Mediterranean region |
Plant Type |
Flowering Medicinal Herb |
Life Cycle |
Annual to Biennial |
Food Forest Layer |
Herb / Tall Groundcover Layer |
Mature Size |
3–5 ft tall, 2–4 ft wide |
Light |
Full Sun |
Water Needs |
Low; drought-tolerant once established |
Harvest Season |
Summer to Early Fall (seeds) |
Time to Harvest |
90–120 days from seed |
Self-Fertile |
Yes |
Growth Rate |
Moderate to Fast |
Zones |
USDA Zones 5–11 |
Florida Native |
No |
Propagation |
Seeds |
Seasonal Characteristics |
Annual or biennial; self-seeds readily, frost-sensitive |