Acanthus Species, Bear's Breeches, Oyster Plant

Acanthusmollis

Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Acanthus (a-KANTH-us)
Species
mollis (MAW-liss)
Synonym
Acanthus latifolius
Acanthus lusitanicus
Acanthus mollis subsp. platyphyllus
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Textured
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Seed Collecting
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anniston, Alabama

Gaylesville, Alabama

Hazel Green, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Glendale, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Ashdown, Arkansas

Sherwood, Arkansas

Burbank, California

CARDIFF BY THE SEA, California

Clovis, California

Crescent City, California

Davis, California

Grass Valley, California

Hayward, California

Los Angeles, California

Madera, California

Manhattan Beach, California

Merced, California

North Auburn, California

Oak View, California

Roseville, California

San Diego, California

San Francisco, California(2 reports)

San Luis Obispo, California

Santa Monica, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Visalia, California

Denver, Colorado

Yulee, Florida

Alto, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Boise, Idaho(2 reports)

Greenup, Illinois

Bloomington, Indiana

Lawrence, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Lafayette, Louisiana

Merryville, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Hastings, Michigan

Florence, Mississippi

Pass Christian, Mississippi

Pontotoc, Mississippi

Starkville, Mississippi

Wyckoff, New Jersey

Ithaca, New York

Durham, North Carolina

Carroll, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Ashland, Oregon

Coos Bay, Oregon

Junction City, Oregon

Portland, Oregon(7 reports)

Roseburg, Oregon

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Ladys Island, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina

Toone, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Bastrop, Texas

Brenham, Texas

Collinsville, Texas

Conroe, Texas

Corsicana, Texas

Dallas, Texas(2 reports)

Fort Worth, Texas

Hereford, Texas

Liberty Hill, Texas

Lufkin, Texas

Mc Kinney, Texas(2 reports)

Odessa, Texas

Princeton, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Charlottesville, Virginia

Herndon, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia

Freeland, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Poulsbo, Washington

Renton, Washington

Seattle, Washington(4 reports)

Stanwood, Washington

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia

Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

29
positives
14
neutrals
11
negatives
Sort By:
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M
Charlottesville, VA | August 2021 | negative

We planted 3 varieties under some white pines about 10 or more years ago. 2 varieties died out and one remained, slowly growing and spre...Read More

P
Hazel Green, AL (Zone 7a) | April 2018 | positive

I have seen several comments/questions here that were never answered.

1. HOW TO KILL IT. If the growing plants go dorman...Read More

E
E
| July 2017 | positive

I have grown acanthus mollis for several years during which time original plants have enlarged and now enjoy a 2 - 3' footprint.
...Read More

R
R
Durham, NC (Zone 7b) | April 2015 | negative

Yet another highly invasive Asiatic plant that does not belong in your garden. We inherited a front bed filled with acanthus and hellebor...Read More

W
W
Bastrop, TX | November 2013 | positive

I bought two of these plants in 2006.
They are growing in red clay loam soil that is full of cobbles in my shady wooded front yard...Read More

G
Gresham, OR | September 2012 | positive

Grows rapidly after temps get above freezing, but is seriously disfigured by snails and slugs despite heavy treatment with slug&snail bai...Read More

V
| August 2012 | neutral

I have a two year old BB in a mainly sunny spot, (think a Zone 7 area) it is now too big for its spot and has produced two attractive ba...Read More

S
Louisville, KY | April 2012 | positive

Love this plant,maybe because I completely misunderstood its culture when I planted it in part, now deep shade and not the best drainage(...Read More

G
G
| March 2012 | negative

Woody weedkiller has knocked it about quite nicely. Am going to give it another dose, undiluted into some holes drilled with the cordless...Read More

C
McKinney, TX (Zone 8a) | March 2012 | positive

Bought this years ago when it was in bloom and planted it at the time in a lot of hot summer sun. Now grows in a more shady location wit...Read More

D
Denver, CO (Zone 5a) | August 2011 | positive

I've always loved this plant since the time I saw it growing in my sister's yard in southern California. Beautiful and unique! I'm surpri...Read More

D
Visalia, CA | June 2011 | negative

Absolutely loathe this plant! Moved into our house about 4 years ago with this plant already well established and we just can't get rid o...Read More

P
Roseburg, OR | April 2011 | positive

I have 4 of these wonderful plants in my garden in Roseburg, OR. A friend gave me a start and did warn me about its invasive tendencies....Read More

M
| April 2011 | negative

Moving to a lifestyle farm in rural NZ, we discovered this apparently charming plant, acanthus mollis, growing in the front garden. Beau...Read More

D
Sumter, SC | August 2010 | negative

Acanthus dies completely back each winter here in central SC. It looks okay during spring and autumn, but wilts and goes away again when...Read More

L
L
| June 2010 | positive

This plant is alive and well in my zone 5 garden. I love it.

M
Northeast region, NJ (Zone 6b) | June 2010 | positive

This plant is not only growing but THRIVING in a couple different types of light in a backyard garden in NJ zone 6b. I just saw it on a...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | June 2010 | positive

Mine is planted inground, in a mostly shaded, average moist location. It goes dormant in the summer. Has not grown out of bounds.

K
Coronado, CA | May 2010 | positive

Well, so far, so good. I planted a 4" pot and it's totally taken off. And in some pretty bad soil. It does seem to like a lot of water...Read More

T
Glendale, AZ | March 2010 | positive

I had to laugh at some of the negative comments made about this plant altho' it is true that once you have it, it is forever with you. I ...Read More

M
| February 2010 | positive

I'm in New Zealand and this plant,all tho invasive,grows exceptionally well,and is beautiful for foliage and flower.I love it,and I'm hop...Read More

G
| August 2009 | neutral

Hi, I need help!!! I fell in love with Bear's Breech when my father was put into care. It grew outside his cottage and was stunning, I h...Read More

S
Springfield, MA (Zone 6a) | February 2009 | neutral

I don't know how I feel 'cause so far I haven't been able to get one! I was sent some seeds, but no luck in germinating them.

C
| November 2008 | positive

As my first time on this site, I wanted to thank readers for their information on Acanthus mollis. I planted it this summer in a partiall...Read More

R
San Diego, CA (Zone 10b) | June 2008 | positive

This is a stunning plant when in bloom. The blooms last forever! Leaves are showy and glossy. Very easy to care for, actually as long as ...Read More

S
Starkville, MS | May 2008 | positive

I have had an Acanthus Mollis growing in my garden in Starkville, Mississippi for 10 years. For the first time it is putting up a bloom ...Read More

W
Brenham, TX (Zone 8b) | April 2008 | positive

I love it. Glossy dark green all winter here in zone 8b, needs water to establish and then it's pretty okay. I like stuff that "takes o...Read More

C
Carroll, OH | April 2008 | positive

I have grown this plant in central Ohio for about 8 years. It's difficult to start, but if you give it 2 to 3 years to establish it is a ...Read More

R
| March 2008 | positive

Invasive: YES. But, I love the large foliage, and it can be a great addition to a lush, tropical-esque or woodland garden. To avoid its i...Read More

O
Oak View, CA | August 2007 | positive

I don't know where the 'bear's breeches' name came from...but the plant is great to have in the garden! Every time you think you've seen...Read More

A
A
Malvern, PA | July 2007 | positive

I have three in my garden here in zone 6b. They came up late this year probably because spring was a long time coming. This is their thir...Read More

L
Seattle, WA | June 2007 | positive

Seattle, WA
zone 8
Seattle, WA
zone 8
The acanthus mollis I have has done wonderfully well in a less than ide...Read More

A
A
La Mirada, CA (Zone 9b) | November 2006 | negative

This is one of the nuisance plants (along with 'Tree of Heaven,' the most misnamed tree EVER) that came with the house. It's not as inva...Read More

C
C
West Pottsgrove, PA (Zone 6b) | August 2006 | neutral

This plant's foliage is depicted on U.S. paper currency.

A
Radford, VA | January 2006 | neutral

I have been lusting after Acanthus mollis in catalogs for years now and finally purchased some (from eBay no less). I am looking forward...Read More

J
Atascadero, CA (Zone 8a) | July 2005 | negative

Extremely invasive unless you have lots of room to let it go. I was given one little piece w/root intact by a 'friend'?? We still laugh...Read More

C
| April 2005 | positive

I can't imagine ever wanting to get rid of this plant! It is just beautiful in shady corners of the garden, even when not in flower.
...Read More

L
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) | April 2005 | positive

I was given a couple of starts of Acanthus by a friend several years ago. I have them planted in light shade in my shade garden under a ...Read More

C
Dallas, TX | April 2005 | neutral

I had been eyeing this plant for years in the catalogs, finally order three 4" starter plants from Spring Hill about two or three years a...Read More

B
Odessa, TX (Zone 7b) | February 2005 | positive

I was very surprised to find this plant does beautifully in west Texas. Our summers are hot (95 - 105 degrees), not much rainfall, and o...Read More

J
J
Odessa, TX | September 2004 | neutral

I guess it is too dry in West Texas. I bought a packet of 5 seeds. Three of them germinated. Two of these died almost immediately. I ...Read More

P
(Zone 8b) | September 2004 | positive

This plant can also be known as oyster plant. It may become very large and invasive once it grows old. They take about 1 or 2 years to es...Read More

G
San Francisco, CA | August 2004 | positive

This is an amazing plant that has survived since prehistoric times. This is the leaf that adorns columns in antiquity, and is the most c...Read More

G
San Francisco, CA | August 2004 | negative

This a terribly invasive plant which I don't find particularly attractive. It's one of those plants I "love to hate" and all too common i...Read More

S
S
(Zone 8b) | July 2004 | neutral

It's history fascinates me and it goes always with me when I see Acanthus growing.
Acanthus is lead from 'Akantha' the Greek word ...Read More

B
| January 2004 | negative

With several large Acanthus mollis plants in our garden in the San Francisco Bay Area I have to come to loath this plant. Its spreading ...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2003 | negative

To get rid of this plant, you have to dig up the entire area it's growing in, down about 1-1.5 feet, and either just toss out the soil, o...Read More

S
S
SC
San Luis Obispo, CA | July 2003 | neutral

This plant is definitely hard to eradicate. While it is a hardy green plant with a nice flower stalk that some people like, my husband hates it.

N
N
Dallas, TX (Zone 8b) | July 2003 | neutral

I have two plants in the ground in partial shade; the leaves look like the sun is burning them up, but it gets very little sun. I have a...Read More

W
(Zone 8a) | September 2002 | positive

An architectural beauty! If you have the space in your garden this is the one plant to choose. Takes about two years to establish itself...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates wide range of soils except poorly-drained one...Read More

B
Thousand Oaks, CA | June 2001 | neutral

In some gardens this is a weed. Jody's comment about it being hard to eradicate is right on... not only is it nearly impossible to get r...Read More

J
J
MD &, VA (Zone 7b) | May 2001 | neutral

It is not uncommon for the leaves to die back in summer and sprout again before winter. Once established it can be hard to eradicate.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2001 | neutral

Bear's breech is a large, ornamental perennial with individual leaf blades almost 1 foot long and as wide. The glossy green leaves appea...Read More

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