Smooth sowthistle

Sonchus oleraceus

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Edible companion

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 Eurasia, it is an extremely common, spontaneous annual herb that is easy to cultivate. Its tender leaves provide nutritious food from autumn to spring without requiring much care. It functions as a mineral accumulator and an effective ground cover in the herbaceous layer.

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

See which trees smooth sowthistle grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

Cork oak

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Full sun
Size: Annual herb up to 1.0 m
Mature diameter: 0.3 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

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

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Young leaves are eaten raw in salads or cooked, being rich in minerals and with tonic properties.

Where to buy

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.

Cork oak

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.