Common Burdock, Lesser Burdock
Arctiumminus

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Arctium (ARK-tee-um)
Species: minus (MY-nus)

Synonym:Arctium nemorosum

Synonym:Arctium pubens

Synonym:Lappa minor

Category
Biennials
Vegetables

Water Requirements

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth

Foliage Color

Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
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)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Bloom Color
Blue-Violet

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed