Burdock: cultivation, uses & benefits

Burdock is a native plant that is bee-friendly, edible and has medicinal properties. Find out how to grow and care for it here.

Pet owners can tell you a thing or two about the tedious task of picking the burdock flower heads and seeds out of the fur or their four-legged friends after a jaunt outside. In fact, these burrs were the inspiration for Velcro. But there is more to burdock (Arctium) than just sticking to things. This article provides some helpful facts about burdock, as well as instructions on how to plant it in your own garden and information on the uses and benefits of burdock root as well as other plant parts.

Burdock: origin and characteristics

The burdock genus (Arctium), which belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), includes only ten to fourteen species. Although burdock plants are now widespread throughout the world, most of them grow natively in Eurasia and North Africa. It has been suggested that the Latin genus name Arctium derives from the ancient Greek word for ‘bear’, because the flowers are reminiscent of their felt-like fur.

Burdocks are generally biennial. They germinate in spring, but in the first year they only form a rosette of leaves that survives the winter. In the second year, the inflorescences grow and bloom. When the seeds ripen, the burdock completes its development, and the plant dies. However, if the burdock grows in a particularly favourable location or is prevented from flowering, it can live for more than two years.

Depending on the species, burdocks can reach heights of 50 to 300 cm. They are characterised above all by their spherical, pink inflorescences composed of many individual tubular flowers, which can be admired from July to September. Burdock is also known for its characteristic burrs, which like to stick to clothing and animal fur. Equally characteristic, though not immediately visible, is the burdock’s strong taproot, which reaches up to one metre into the ground. Burdock root has been used for hundreds of years, mainly for medicinal purposes but also in the beloved dandelion and burdock drink.

Burdocks are native bee-friendly plants. Bumblebees, bees, butterflies and other insects meet among the burdock blooms at pollination time. If you are looking for more bee-friendly plants for your garden, check out our article on bee-friendly perennials.

How does burdock spread? Burdock reproduces by seed. The seeds fall directly onto the ground in autumn, where they germinate the following spring. Alternatively, the burdock’s burrs, which contain several seeds, stick to the fur of passing animals with their little hooks and they are then dispersed to new locations.

Native burdock species

The burdock genus consists of ten to fourteen species. Here are the four most common types of burdock plants.

Lesser burdock (Arctium minus)

Contrary to its name, lesser burdock can grow to a height of 1.5 to 2 metres. The leaves of the lesser burdock are actually quite large as well. For example, the basal leaves of the rosette can grow up to 60 cm long. In contrast to most other burdock species, lesser burdock prefers soils that have low-lime levels or are completely lime free. One feature that distinguishes lesser burdock from greater burdock is the leaf stalks. These are hollow in Arctium minus, whereas they are filled with pith in Arctium lappa. The young parts of the burdock plant are edible and are said to taste like artichokes when cooked.

Greater burdock (Arctium lappa)

Greater burdock is one of the best-known species and grows relatively tall at 80 to 100 cm. The rosette leaves of the greater burdock, which can be up to 50 cm long, provide shelter for many beetles and other insects. The flowers of the greater burdock are also very attractive to native bees, bumblebees and co. When growing burdock to harvest the roots, a variety of the subspecies Arctium lappa var. sativa is commonly used. This variety is distinguished by particularly long, unbranched roots.

Woolly burdock (Arctium tomentosum)

Woolly burdock can reach a height of 60 to 120 cm and has oval- and heart-shaped leaves with grey-white hairs on the underside. The plant, also known as downy burdock, can be distinguished from the other species of the genus by its inflorescences. The woolly burdock’s inflorescences are covered in a grey-white woolly felt, as the name suggests. This species of burdock is edible and can be used in the same way as greater burdock.

Wood burdock (Arctium nemorosum)

Wood burdock and lesser burdock are very similar, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. The inflorescence branches of Arctium nemorosum bend outwards, whereas those of lesser burdock grow upright. Wood burdock can reach a height of 250 cm in good locations, which is significantly higher than lesser burdock. Wood burdock tolerates shade better and prefers lime-rich soils, so their location requirements also differ.

Planting and caring for burdock in the garden

Growing burdock in your own garden is simple, and it provides food and shelter for insects. Burdock thrives in sunny to semi-shady locations with deep, well-drained, humus- and nutrient-rich soil. Burdock can be sown directly into the soil. This can be done either in autumn, immediately after the seeds have ripened, or in spring, from April to June. If sown early enough in autumn, burdock may germinate quickly and survive the winter as a rosette of leaves. It will then be possible for it to continue growing and flower in the following spring.

How to plant burdock:

• Clear weeds and fork soil to make a fine-crumb seedbed. Improve sandy soils with our peat-free Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost or some or mature, nutrient-poor garden compost.
• Wet the soil thoroughly before sowing.
• Sow the burdock seeds about 30 cm apart and about 1 cm deep.
• Cover the seeds thinly with soil, press them down gently and water the soil lightly.
• In 3 to 4 weeks, the seeds will germinate. During this time, it is important to keep the soil moist, so that the seeds do not dry out.
• Once they have germinated, prick out the young plants and replant them 20 to 25 cm apart

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If the location is right, burdock plants hardly need any care. Although, during long dry periods, water the burdock plants every now and then. If you grow burdock to harvest the roots, ensure a consistent supply of water for higher yields. Fertilise at the beginning of the growing season, around March, and again in summer, around June using a granular fertiliser. Our slow release Plantura All Purpose Plant Food works great for this. It is completely animal-free and has a high proportion of organic components, which improves soil structure and soil life, creating the ideal environment for healthy growth.

Tip: Wear gloves when working with mature burdock plants if you have sensitive skin because the small hairs on the burrs can cause irritation.

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Use and benefits of burdock

Harvesting burdock

Primarily the burdock root is harvested. This is typically done in autumn of the first year of growth (around November) before the burdock flowers. Alternatively, harvesting can take place in the following spring. Harvesting burdock early also keeps it from growing tall and spreading over a large area. Unfortunately, then the benefits of the bee-friendly flower cannot be enjoyed. If you wish to have both the harvest and the flowers, take only part of the root by digging it out with a spade to the side of the plant. Burdock plant seeds can be harvested in autumn by opening the heads and freeing the seeds from the hooks.

Using greater burdock and other burdocks

As a rule, none of the burdock species mentioned here are classified as poisonous. In the past, burdock roots were eaten as a vegetable, similar to salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius). Burdock root is one of Japan’s most popular root vegetables and is still widely consumed there. Burdock’s leaf stalks and young leaves are also edible and are used in the same way as spinach. Older burdock leaves taste very bitter, so they are not generally eaten. Elsewhere, burdock is less commonly grown, and when it is, it is cultivated for its medicinal properties. For example, you can make burdock root tea. A heaped teaspoon of dried burdock root is mixed into 250 ml of cold water. After five hours of infusion, the tea is brought to the boil for one minute and then strained.

Tip: The well-cleaned seeds of burdock can be used in bread, muesli and soups.

Burdock root benefits

According to studies, burdock root has anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, diuretic and diaphoretic properties as well as the ability to regulate hypoglycaemic processes (e.g., burdock root tea can help those with diabetes). Nowadays, burdock root is also used as a hair oil to help prevent hair loss caused by poor blood circulation. Aside from the benefits of burdock, one should be aware potential side effects and risks, such as rashes. Consult your doctor before using burdock for medicinal purposes.

Burdock harvest and uses at a glance:

• Harvest time for burdock root: autumn of the first year of growth or in the following spring.
• New leaf stalks and young leaves: Use as a vegetable with a taste similar to artichokes.
• Burdock roots: Use as a vegetable, base for soups and for burdock tea as well as tinctures, burdock oil and ointments. Also used in dandelion and burdock soft drink.
• Possible health benefits: Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-cancerous, anti-microbial.