How much sun does Indian thistle need?

Indian thistle grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Indian thistle bloom?

Indian thistle blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Indian thistle native?

Indian thistle (Cirsium brevistylum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Indian thistle host?

Indian thistle is a larval host plant for painted lady.

Indian thistle

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cirsium brevistylum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Indian thistle (Cirsium brevistylum) is a biennial forb native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Indian thistle (Cirsium brevistylum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–72" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Indian thistle.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Spiny biennial with deeply lobed, prickly leaves and clusters of pink to lavender flower heads at the branch tips in summer, growing along streambanks, meadow edges, and open forest clearings.

Growing Indian thistle

Grow Indian thistle in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for painted lady.

Nectar-rich flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and the foliage is a larval host plant for the painted lady butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Indian thistle need?: Indian thistle grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Indian thistle bloom?: Indian thistle blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Indian thistle native?: Indian thistle (Cirsium brevistylum) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Indian thistle host?: Indian thistle is a larval host plant for painted lady.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Indian thistle? 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