Field Sowthistle Plant Care
Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Field Sowthistle?
Water Field Sowthistle every 4–7 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 Field Sowthistle?
Field Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Sonchus genus. Field Sowthistle is also known as Corn Sowthistle, Milk Thistle.
Field Sowthistle displays an upright, branching herbaceous plant growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Field Sowthistle produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Field Sowthistle?
Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Field Sowthistle Need?
Field Sowthistle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Field Sowthistle Prefer?
Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Field Sowthistle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Field Sowthistle?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Field Sowthistle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Field Sowthistle?
Feed Field Sowthistle 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 Field Sowthistle?
Repot every 1-2 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 Field Sowthistle?
Field Sowthistle can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to species plantarum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Field Sowthistle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Field Sowthistle, 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 Field Sowthistle?
Field Sowthistle is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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 Field Sowthistle Need?
Field Sowthistle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Field Sowthistle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Field Sowthistle 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 Sonchus genus — compare its care with other Sonchus species on PlantoScan.
Sonchus is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Field Sowthistle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sonchus Species
Other Sonchus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sonchus arvensis subsp. arvensis L., family Asteraceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Field Sowthistle, 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 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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