| Common Names |
Milk Thistle, St. Mary’s Thistle |
| Family |
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) |
| Origin |
Mediterranean region |
| Plant Type |
Flowering Medicinal Herb |
| Life Cycle |
Annual to Biennial |
| Food Forest Layer |
Herb / Tall Groundcover Layer |
| Mature Size |
3–5 ft tall, 2–4 ft wide |
| Light |
Full Sun |
| Water Needs |
Low; drought-tolerant once established |
| Harvest Season |
Summer to Early Fall (seeds) |
| Time to Harvest |
90–120 days from seed |
| Self-Fertile |
Yes |
| Growth Rate |
Moderate to Fast |
| Zones |
USDA Zones 5–11 |
| Florida Native |
No |
| Propagation |
Seeds |
| Seasonal Characteristics |
Annual or biennial; self-seeds readily, frost-sensitive |
