Greater Burdock Plant Care
Arctium leiospermum Juz. & Ye.V.Serg.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Arctium lappa, commonly called greater burdock, gobō (牛蒡/ゴボウ), edible burdock, lappa, beggar's buttons, thorny burr, or happy major is a Eurasian species of plants in the family Asteraceae.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Greater Burdock?
Water Greater Burdock every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Greater Burdock?
Greater Burdock (Arctium leiospermum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Arctium genus. Greater Burdock is also known as Common Burdock.
Greater Burdock displays a tall, robust biennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Greater Burdock produces large purple thistle-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Greater Burdock?
Arctium leiospermum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Greater Burdock Need?
Greater Burdock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Greater Burdock Prefer?
Arctium leiospermum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Greater Burdock prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Greater Burdock?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Greater Burdock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Greater Burdock?
Feed Greater Burdock every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Greater Burdock?
Transplant young seedlings annually. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Greater Burdock?
Greater Burdock can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to woodland burdock plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Greater Burdock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Greater Burdock, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Greater Burdock?
Greater Burdock is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Greater Burdock Need?
Greater Burdock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Greater Burdock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Greater Burdock is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Arctium genus — compare its care with other Arctium species on PlantoScan.
Arctium is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Greater Burdock thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Arctium leiospermum Juz. & Ye.V.Serg., family Asteraceae (first published in Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 18: 299 (1957)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Greater Burdock, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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