Also known as Beggar's Button · Burdock · Common Burdock
Arctium minus, Lesser Burdock, is a biennial herb with large leaves and purple flowers forming clinging burrs. Growing 0.5-1.5 m tall, it's a common weed, yet its roots a
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
70% intensity
Moderate
60% intensity
Prefers rich, moist, well-drained loamy soils, but highly adaptable.
50% intensity
Tolerant of temperate climates
60% intensity
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low
20% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Not chemically toxic to humans or pets. Burrs can cause physical entanglement and irritation. Contact with leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Lesser Burdock requires consistent moisture, especially during dry spells, but good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Young plants need regular watering to establish their deep taproot effectively.
While mature plants show some drought tolerance, they thrive best with steady hydration throughout their active growth period for optimal development.
Pruning Lesser Burdock is primarily for managing its spread and appearance. To prevent prolific self-seeding, it is crucial to cut off flower heads before the burrs fully develop and mature.
Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves to maintain plant vigor. For culinary purposes, harvest young leaves and stems as needed.
Lesser Burdock is most commonly propagated by seed. Seeds can be directly sown outdoors in late spring or early summer, requiring light for germination, so they should be surface-sown or covered very thinly.
The plant readily self-seeds if its characteristic burrs are allowed to fully mature and disperse their seeds naturally.
Lesser Burdock is not typically grown in containers due to its substantial taproot and biennial life cycle.
If started in a pot for initial growth, it should be transplanted to its permanent outdoor location when still young.
This allows ample space for the taproot to develop properly, which is crucial for the plant's overall health and vigor.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Arctium |
| Species | Arctium minus |
Similar in genus Arctium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
