Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Dynamic accumulator

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to the Mediterranean region, it is a very robust herbaceous perennial plant with silvery foliage and large purple inflorescences. In a food forest, its deep taproot helps to decompact the soil and extract minerals from the subsoil, whilst its flowers support an abundance of pollinating insects.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees cardoon grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Perennial up to 1.5 m
Mature diameter: 1.2 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March — Planting
April — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July
August
September — Planting
October — Planting
November — Harvest
December — Harvest

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The leaves stimulate liver function and digestion.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.