Perennial
Purple Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
Varieties We Carry
StandardCirsium horridulumNuttall'sCirsium horridulum
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size2-5 feet (occasionally to 8 feet) × 1-2 feet
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther 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
Light
Plant in full sun to partial sun; performs best in open, sunny areas typical of NE Florida roadsides and pinelands.
Water
Drought tolerant once established; thrives on natural rainfall in NE Florida. Avoid sites with standing water. No supplemental irrigation needed after the first season.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
From $9.95Same conditions
Common Mallow
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Florida Scrub Skullcap
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $4.95Same conditions
Goldenrod
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
Green Eyes
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
Snow Squarestem
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $6.95Same conditions
You may also like
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.