How to Grow Teasel
Dipsacus fullonum
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Teasel thrives without supplementary feeding in average garden soil. If growing on very poor soil, a single application of balanced fertiliser in spring of the flowering year is sufficient.
- Teasel is a low-maintenance biennial that self-seeds freely. Leave the spiky seed heads standing through winter — they are a magnet for goldfinches and provide strong architectural interest. Thin self-sown seedlings in spring to prevent overcrowding.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Direct sow
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 40 cm |
| Row spacing | 50 cm |
| Mature height | 175 cm |
| Mature spread | 40 cm |
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Teasel thrives without supplementary feeding in average garden soil. If growing on very poor soil, a single application of balanced fertiliser in spring of the flowering year is sufficient.
- Watch for
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- Slugs on first-year rosettes
- Aphids on flower stems in summer
- Powdery mildew in dry spells
Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs
Identification: Irregular holes chewed in the leaves of first-year rosettes, often with slime trails visible in the morning.
- Apply a barrier of sharp grit or crushed eggshells around the rosette base.
- Use nematode slug control (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) watered into damp soil in spring.
- Apply ferric phosphate pellets around affected rosettes.
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green or black insects on flower stems and developing seed heads from June onwards.
- Spray with a strong jet of water to dislodge colonies.
- Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings by growing companion flowers nearby.
- Spray with a pyrethrum-based insecticide if infestations are severe.
Pest Leaf-Mining Flies
Identification: Pale winding tunnels visible within the leaves of the rosette, caused by the larvae of small flies feeding inside the leaf tissue.
- Remove and destroy heavily mined leaves.
- Encourage parasitic wasps by planting small-flowered umbellifers nearby.
- No chemical treatment is generally warranted for cosmetic leaf mining on a wildflower.
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe dipsaci
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and stems, typically appearing in mid to late summer during dry spells.
Treatment: Improve air circulation by thinning overcrowded plants. Water at the base rather than overhead. Remove badly affected leaves.
Prevention: Avoid planting in dense, airless patches. Thin self-sown seedlings to 40 cm apart.
Disease Crown Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: The base of the rosette turns brown and mushy, causing the plant to collapse. Occurs in waterlogged conditions.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. Improve drainage before replanting.
Prevention: Grow teasel in free-draining soil. Avoid heavy clay or poorly drained sites.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Teasel?
- Plant Teasel 40cm apart with 50cm between rows.
- Is Teasel frost hardy?
- Teasel is classified as Hardy.
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