Common Teasel
Dipsacus fullonum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–72" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
DE
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles, flies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Common teasel is a tall biennial that produces distinctive spiky, egg-shaped flower heads on sturdy stems. The purple flowers bloom in summer and are followed by dried seed heads that persist into winter. This plant forms a rosette of prickly leaves in its first year before sending up flowering stems in the second year.
In an HOA neighborhood
Common Teasel takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Aggressive self-seeder that can become weedy
- Tall wild appearance may look unkempt to neighbors
- Spiky texture and dried stems can appear messy
Wildlife value
The flowers attract various pollinators including bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies during summer blooming. The persistent seed heads provide food for goldfinches and other seed-eating birds through fall and winter.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Common Teasel fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.