Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) - Milk Thistle seeds grow easily & produce a hardy biennial that is native to the Mediterranean area & has naturalized throughout North America. It is very impressive as an ornamental herb plant. It is tall & stately with large, mottled, spiny foliage that contains a milky sap-like substance & large, thistle-like heads of rose-pink flowers. Milk Thistle herb plants do re-seed themselves, so it is recommended to deadhead the flowers before they set seed. Other common names for this herb plant are Mediterranean Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle, St Mary’s Thistle, & Holy Thistle. Milk Thistle is a well-known medicinal herb with a long history of use in the treatment of liver & gallbladder ailments. It is the Milk Thistle seeds that are used medicinally, & they contain silymarin which is a flavonoid. The Milk Thistle herb may have a protective & regenerative effect on liver cells. As a nutritional supplement to support liver function, the seeds can be ground & added to hot cereals or other whole-grain dishes. SOWING: Season: Biennial Height: 100-140 cm (40 - 55 inches) Bloom Season: Late spring to mid-summer Bloom Color: Pink Environment: Full sun Soil Type: Grows in any type of soil, pH 6.6 - 7.8 Temperature: 12 - 21 C (55 - 70F) Average Germ Time: 7 - 14 days Light Required: Yes Depth: 1cm (1/4 - 1/2 inch) Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination Plant Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (24 - 36 inches) Grow Milk Thistle seeds directly in the herb garden. Prepare a seedbed & sow the herb seeds in the spring when temperatures have warmed. The Milk Thistle plants prefer full sun, but they are not picky about soils. They are also tolerant of dry & wet soils. Milk Thistle - 30 Seeds Silybum Marianum Biennial Ornamental Herb Plant
