Photo: McIntosh NaturaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Soft Globe Thistle Plant Care
Echinops mollis Schur
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echinops exaltatus, the Russian globe thistle or tall globethistle, is European species of globe thistle in the family Asteraceae. It is native to central and eastern Europe from Germany and Italy east into Russia. The species has escaped cultivation and become established in the wild in scattered locations in eastern Canada and the northern United States.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Soft Globe Thistle?
Water Soft Globe Thistle 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 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Soft Globe Thistle Native To?
What Is the Soft Globe Thistle?
Soft Globe Thistle (Echinops mollis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Echinops genus. Soft Globe Thistle is native to central and eastern Europe from Germany and Italy east into Russia. Soft Globe Thistle is also known as Mollusc Globe Thistle, Echinops commutatus, Echinops eglandulosus.
Soft Globe Thistle displays a clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Soft Globe Thistle produces globe-shaped blue flower heads.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Soft Globe Thistle?
Echinops mollis 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 Soft Globe Thistle Need?
Soft Globe Thistle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Soft Globe Thistle Prefer?
Echinops mollis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Soft Globe Thistle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Soft Globe Thistle?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Soft Globe Thistle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Soft Globe Thistle?
Feed Soft Globe Thistle 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 Soft Globe Thistle?
Divide and repot every 3-4 years. 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 Soft Globe Thistle?
Soft Globe Thistle can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue globe thistle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Soft Globe Thistle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Soft Globe Thistle, 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 Soft Globe Thistle?
Soft Globe Thistle is susceptible to aphids, 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 Soft Globe Thistle Need?
Soft Globe Thistle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Soft Globe Thistle is native to central and eastern Europe from Germany and Italy east into Russia. In cooler regions, grow Soft Globe Thistle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Soft Globe Thistle 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 Echinops genus — compare its care with other Echinops species on PlantoScan.
Echinops is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Soft Globe Thistle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Echinops Species
Other Echinops species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Echinops mollis Schur, family Asteraceae (first published in Verh. Mitth. Siebenbürg. Vereins Naturwiss. Hermannstadt iv. (1853) 34) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Soft Globe Thistle, 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: McIntosh Natura, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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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