How much sun does Common Teasel need?

Common Teasel grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Common Teasel bloom?

Common Teasel blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Common Teasel native?

Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is native to DE, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Common Teasel attract?

Common Teasel draws bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies.

Is Common Teasel HOA-friendly?

Common Teasel takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Common Teasel

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Dipsacus fullonum

Last reviewed: June 2026

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles, flies

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Valley Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range

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.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Teasel need?: Common Teasel grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Common Teasel bloom?: Common Teasel blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Common Teasel native?: Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is native to DE, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Common Teasel attract?: Common Teasel draws bees, butterflies, beetles, and flies.
Is Common Teasel HOA-friendly?: Common Teasel takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

Ready to grow Common Teasel? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz