Bull thistle is native to most parts of Eurasia and several countries in northwestern Africa. It grows naturally in wastelands and fields. This plant has seen worldwide distribution but is considered an invasive weed in Canada, the USA, and Australia because it outcompetes crops and native plant species.

Bull thistle's spiny flowers, stems, and leaves can irritate the skin upon contact, causing redness and minor wounds to gardeners and weeders. It is only mildly toxic to humans if consumed in large amounts.

This is a biennial native to Europe and Asia. It is considered an invasive weed in many regions such as Africa, North America, Australia, and parts of Europe. Bull thistle grows in sunny disturbed areas. The weed takes available light and resources within the soil, eliminating other native plants in its invaded habitat. It can cause contact dermatitis and often obscures visibility or access to invaded areas. The weed is unpalatable to animals and can crowd out native vegetation that would otherwise provide nutrition for grazing animals. Bull thistle can be removed by cutting the weed before it seeds but can also spread via wind. Despite its drawbacks, Bull Thistle is a commercial crop in Australia.

The best season for the removal of bull thistle is late spring or early summer. This is before the plant reaches the state of flowering and releasing seeds, which can cause an infestation. Always dispose of the plant carefully to avoid spreading seeds.