Purple Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 19, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Purple Thistle
Purple Thistle (Cirsium horridulum) is a native biennial wildflower of NE Florida's pinelands and open habitats, forming a rosette of spiny leaves before sending up stalks topped with large pink to purple flower heads. It is an outstanding pollinator plant, supporting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and self-seeds freely in sandy soil. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- Yellow, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Biennial
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Plant in full sun to partial sun; performs best in open, sunny areas typical of NE Florida roadsides and pinelands.
Drought tolerant once established; thrives on natural rainfall in NE Florida. Avoid sites with standing water. No supplemental irrigation needed after the first season.
Grows in a wide range of well-drained sandy to loamy soils. No fertilization required; allow plants to self-seed as this biennial dies after flowering. Leave dead stems standing for native bee nesting.
Similar needs
Carolina Wild Petunia
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Common Mallow
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Florida Scrub Skullcap
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Goldenrod
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Green Eyes
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Snow Squarestem
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Purple Thistle a good plant for St. Augustine?
Purple Thistle is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-5 feet (occasionally to 8 feet) × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.