How to Grow Acanthus Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Bear's Breeches and Mountain Thistle

The common name for the Hardy perennial Acanthus is Bear's breeches.

It typically flowers from late spring and throughout the summer.

Description of Acanthus

Bear's breeches and related plants may be either deciduous or evergreen. Acanthus are large plants of between 30 and 120 cm and are often used as border plants. Acanthus have spiky leaves and purple flowers.

Photographs of Acanthus mollis, Acanthus spinosus and Acanthus hungaricus

How to Grow Acanthus

It is best to plant Acanthus mollis and other members of the genus at a depth of 1/2 cm, 90 to 120 cm apart after the last frost of spring or in the autumn. Acanthus prefers light and can be grown in full sunlight or in partly shady conditions. The soil should be deep and well drained, ideally at a pH between 6 and 7. Acanthus plants are unlikely to survive in wet areas. They require 20 to 25 days for germination at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. If growing the plant indoors it should be sown in late winter to early spring in peat pots before transferring outside in the early spring.

Caring for Acanthus in the Garden

Acanthus is a very easy plant to care for, it requires watering until flowering only when conditions become too dry.