Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Seeds per pack ~ 40  

Germination: 98% (Packed for 2025)

Common names include Milk Thistle, Saint Mary’s Thistle, Scotch Thistle Milk thistle is a pretty, though spiny biennial or annual herb that grows up to 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 meters) tall. In the Asteraceae (daisy family), it has large, glossy green leaves with distinctive white veins. The edges of the leaves are spiny, making them look somewhat like a thistle, hence the name. The plant produces striking purple-pink flowers with spiny bracts, blooming from late spring to early fall. Native to the Mediterranean region, but widely naturalized in North America, Europe, and Australia.  Commonly found in disturbed areas, roadsides, and fields. Milk thistle can become invasive in some regions. The sharp spines make handling difficult.

Traditional & Medicinal Uses

Although milk thistle has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, there is no clinical evidence that it has any medicinal effect. If you plan to use it medicinally, consult your doctor first because there are some adverse interactions with other drugs (including diazepam and warfarin). The flowers make a nice sun tea. It's the seeds that are most often consumed though.

Milk thistle is best known for its hepatoprotective properties due to the active compound silymarin, found in its seeds. It has been traditionally used for liver health, as it protects against liver damage from toxins, alcohol, and diseases like hepatitis. It also helps with indigestion and bile production. May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.

Growing Tips: Grows easily from seeds, which should be sown in early spring or fall. Milk Thistle prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is self-seeding and it can become invasive in some areas. Requires minimal maintenance but can spread rapidly. Drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional watering. This plant is very easy to grow, but we advise harvesting all seeds so it won't become invasive in your neighborhood.