Photo: en:User:Saranphat.chaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Cirsium pugnax Plant Care
Cirsium pugnax Sommier & Levier
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cnicus benedictus (St. Benedict's thistle, blessed thistle, holy thistle or spotted thistle), is a thistle-like plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Mediterranean region, from Portugal north to southern France and east to Iran. It is known in other parts of the world, including parts of North America, as an introduced species and often a noxious weed. It is the sole species in the monotypic genus Cnicus. Other species once included in the genus have largely been reclassified to Cirsium, Carduus, and Centaurea.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Cirsium pugnax?
Water Cirsium pugnax every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Cirsium pugnax?
Cirsium pugnax (Cirsium pugnax) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Cirsium genus.
Cirsium pugnax displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Cirsium pugnax produces showy purple or pink thistle-like flower heads.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cirsium pugnax?
Cirsium pugnax 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 Cirsium pugnax Need?
Cirsium pugnax thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cirsium pugnax Prefer?
Cirsium pugnax grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Cirsium pugnax prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cirsium pugnax?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cirsium pugnax to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cirsium pugnax?
Feed Cirsium pugnax every 6 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 6 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 Cirsium pugnax?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in early spring. 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 Cirsium pugnax?
Cirsium pugnax can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to creeping thistle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cirsium pugnax Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cirsium pugnax, 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 Cirsium pugnax?
Cirsium pugnax is susceptible to aphids, thrips, 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 Cirsium pugnax Need?
Cirsium pugnax grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Cirsium pugnax as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Cirsium pugnax 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 Cirsium genus — compare its care with other Cirsium species on PlantoScan.
Cirsium is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Cirsium pugnax thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cirsium Species
Other Cirsium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cirsium pugnax Sommier & Levier, family Asteraceae (first published in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. , ser. 2, 2: 12 (1895)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cirsium pugnax, 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: en:User:Saranphat.cha, CC BY-SA 3.0, 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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