How to Grow and Care for Sowthistles

Common sowthistle is a common weed originated in Europe and West Asia. Alongside many sister species that hard to distinguish, it is considered to be an invasive plant in many parts of the world. Its leaves with some bitter taste are editable either green as a part of a salad or cooked in various ways.

The spiny sowthistle is considered a noxious and invasive weed in many areas. Its flowers resemble those of a dandelion and its leaves, although covered in spines, are edible. This plant can grow up to 1.8 m and sap that resembles milk will leak out of the leaves and stem if they are broken or cut.

Slender sowthistle (Sonchus tenerrimus) is an annual or perennial herb with a slender stem that will grow to 81 cm tall. Native to Europe and Africa, it is commonly found growing in California. A member of the aster family, it produces yellow, daisy-like flowers but without disc floret centers.

Perennial sow thistle is a plant that is native to Europe, but can be found in many other countries. In nearly all locations where it is found it is classified as an invasive weed due to its capability to spread rapidly and outcompete other native species.

Marsh sow-thistle (Sonchus palustris) is reasonably salt-tolerant so it is able to grow beside the brackish waters of tidal river estuaries. It gets its Latin name Sonchus palustris, which means "of the marsh", from its native marshland habitats. This thistle can survive in these damp locations because it has adapted to thrive in nitrogen-rich conditions.