Photo: Ivar LeidusCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Woolly burdock Plant Care
Arctium tomentosum Mill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Arctium tomentosum, commonly known as the woolly burdock or downy burdock, is a species of burdock belonging to the family Asteraceae. The species was described by Philip Miller in 1768.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Woolly burdock?
Water Woolly 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 Woolly burdock?
Woolly burdock (Arctium tomentosum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Arctium genus. Woolly burdock is also known as Arcion tomentosum, Arctium leptophyllum, Lappa tomentosa.
Woolly burdock displays a tall, robust biennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Woolly burdock produces large purple thistle-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Woolly burdock?
Arctium tomentosum 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 Woolly burdock Need?
Woolly burdock thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly burdock Prefer?
Arctium tomentosum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Woolly burdock prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly burdock?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Woolly burdock to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly burdock?
Feed Woolly 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 Woolly 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 Woolly burdock?
Woolly burdock can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to woodland burdock plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Woolly burdock Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Woolly 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 Woolly burdock?
Woolly 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 Woolly burdock Need?
Woolly burdock grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Woolly burdock as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Woolly 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.
Woolly 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 tomentosum Mill., family Asteraceae (first published in Gard. Dict., ed. 8. n. 3. 1768 ; Bernh. Syst. Verz. Erf. 154) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly 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.
- Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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