Image: PlantoScan
Wild Teasel Plant Care
Dipsacus fullonum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its tall, prickly stems and unique cone-shaped flower heads, this plant originates from Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to its striking appearance and the way the flower heads attract birds and butterflies to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wild Teasel?
Water Wild Teasel every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Wild Teasel?
Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family within the Dipsacus genus. Wild Teasel is native to Eurasia and North Africa. Wild Teasel is also known as Common Teasel, Fuller's Teasel.
Wild Teasel displays a tall, upright biennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Wild Teasel produces tall spiky flower heads with small purple blooms.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wild Teasel?
Dipsacus fullonum requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Wild Teasel Need?
Wild Teasel thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wild Teasel Prefer?
Dipsacus fullonum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Wild Teasel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wild Teasel?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Wild Teasel to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wild Teasel?
Feed Wild Teasel 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 Wild Teasel?
Repot 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 Wild Teasel?
Wild Teasel can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cut-leaved teasel plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wild Teasel Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wild Teasel, 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 Wild Teasel?
Wild Teasel is susceptible to aphids, snails, slugs. 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 Wild Teasel Need?
Wild Teasel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Wild Teasel is native to Eurasia and North Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Wild Teasel 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 Dipsacus genus — compare its care with other Dipsacus species on PlantoScan.
Dipsacus is part of the Caprifoliaceae plant family — browse all Caprifoliaceae genera and species.
Wild Teasel 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: Dipsacus fullonum L., family Caprifoliaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 97 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wild Teasel, 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: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Wild Teasel Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species