A biennial bushy plant with
large leaves and purple thistle-like flowers. Blooms July-September. An
important blood purifier. Has anti-bacterial properties and is used for many
skin problems. Useful also for rheumatism and arthritis. The root may be boiled
as a vegetable and the stalk, prior to flowering, may also be cooked. Greater
burdock is also a natural dye plant which is loved by bees and hoverflies.
Habitat: waste ground.
Height: Tall
How to Grow Burdock
Burdock
(Arctium lappa and Arctium minus )
is considered a common biennial weed in much of North America, where
nitrogen-rich soils cause it to thrive and spread rather rampantly. Burdock is
not highly prized for its appearance. Growing as much as 10 feet tall, it has a
frankly weedy appearance, with large floppy leaves. In the first year, the
leaves remain close to the ground, then a tall flower stalk shoots up in the
second year to produce purple flowers and thistle-like seed burrs.
It is a common plant to see
in untended pastures and along roadsides, and it self-seeds readily. The seed
pods dry into velcro-like burrs that cling to everything—including your
clothing and pet's hair.
But burdock also has a
surprising number of culinary and herbal uses. Its roots, sweet but pungent in
flavour, are commonly used in cooked dishes or as a flavouring in teas.
In Asian cooking, burdock (Gobo root) is commonplace. The immature stalks
are also sometimes consumed—they are said to resemble artichoke in flavour. The
young leaves can be also used in salads or in cooked dishes.
Burdock is also known as
a medicinal food; meaning it nourishes the body and offers deep
nutritive health to the body, notably the liver and urinary tract and skin.
In warm climates, burdock can
be planted from seed in the fall. In colder climates, it is normally planted in
the spring. Burdock is a fast-growing plant that will achieve its full height
by end of summer. Harvesting of the roots can begin about 90 days after
germination.
Botanical Name |
Arcrtium lappa |
Common Name |
Burdock, greater burdock, common burdock, gobo |
Plant Type |
Biennial |
Size |
6–10 feet tall |
Sun Exposure |
Full sun to part shade |
Soil Type |
Sandy, well-drained soil |
Soil pH |
6.6–7.5 (neutral) |
Zones |
|
Native Area |
Eurasia |
Burdock can be cultivated as
an edible herb in almost any garden soil, where ideal conditions can make it
grow quite tall. Be aware that once established, this plant can be hard to
eradicate. Burdock has deep tap roots that absorb copious amounts of nutrients
from the soil, so it is best planted away from other deep-rooted vegetables,
such as potatoes, onions, carrots, and beets. It makes a better companion for
asparagus and legumes.
It will grow well in part
shade, so burdock is a good choice for areas of a landscape that don't see full
sun, such as in the shade of a large tree. Stratification of
the seeds before planting will help germination, which can otherwise be
erratic. Once plants are established, seeding is not necessary—burdock will
self-seed quite readily. For the fewest problems, grow burdock in an area where
self-seeding is not a problem. This will ensure endless crops of seeds and
roots for years to come.
Burdock will do equally well
in full sun or part shade, but it has a preference for some shade.
This plant will do well in
almost any soil, but if you want to harvest the roots, sandy loam is best. The
roots can extend as much as 3 feet into the ground, and harvesting can be very
hard if the soil is dense and packed.
Burdock almost never needs
additional watering if your region is getting some regular rainfall. A total of
1 inch every two weeks is perfectly sufficient.
This plant does well in all
temperature and humidity conditions throughout North America.
This is not a plant you
should feed, as it becomes almost too vigorous in soils high in nitrogen.
There are two forms of edible
burdock commonly grown. In addition to Arctium lappa, sometimes
known as greater burdock, common burdock (Actium minum) is
a prevalent plant across North America. It can be hard to tell the difference
between these plants, but common burdock is slightly smaller, its flowers do
not have stalks, and the main stems are hollow rather than solid. Both plants
have similar uses.
Young leaves, stalks, and
roots of burdock all have culinary and medicinal uses, but the best harvesting
occurs early in the season, before the plant has become too large. Young leaves
can be clipped from the plant beginning in mid-summer for use in salads or
cooking, much the way spinach is used.
If you want to use the roots,
wait until the end of the plant' first year (or early in its second year) to
dig up the plant and remove the roots. This is best done after moisture has
been applied to the soil, as burdock has a very deep, large taproot. This
taproot needs to be dug out with a spade or garden fork. Do not attempt to pull
the root, as it will usually break off partway down the root, and you will be
left with a stub. The roots can be used in many recipes—boiled, roasted, or
fried. Wash the roots very well to remove all loose dirt or sand before drying.
The roots also need to be chopped or sliced before drying, as they become rock
hard once dry.
The seeds are generally
harvested at the end of the second year, at the point where the seed pods form
burrs with velcro-like hooks. Seeds should be removed from their prickly outer
coating and then dried before storage. Look them over well for hidden insects.
The seeds are often used in folk remedies as a pain reliever for ailments such
as toothache and arthritis.
Herbalists have a wide range
of uses for burdock, though medicinal uses should be supervised. Burdock can be
used for skin issues, both from within and applied directly to the surface of
the skin. Fresh burdock leaves (either first or second year) can be lightly
steamed and then applied as a poultice to draw out infection and speed
healing. Burdock seed tincture should not be used by the home herbalist due to
its strong efficacy. Tinctures are not safe to ingest while pregnant, or for
those with certain medical issues, so consult with a doctor before using.
Once a patch of burdock is
established, it's somewhat rare to intentionally propagate it, since the plant
self-seeds so readily. If you do want to share plants or create additional
burdocks, collect the seeds from the burrs, which ripen at the end of the
plant's second year. The seeds can be planted immediately or saved until the
following spring.
Plant burdock seeds about 1/2
inch deep and at least 8 inches apart. Keep the soil moist until germination,
which takes no more than seven days. Once the seeds sprout, almost no care is
required. The roots will be ready for harvest in about 90 days, though young
leaves can be picked much earlier.
When a plant earns a
reputation as a weed, it usually is fairly immune to diseases and pests.
Burdock is no exception. Common pests such as slugs, aphids, and mites may
affect burdock, but they rarely kill the plant. Somewhat unique to burdock is
the fondness that four-lined bugs have for it. These pests can do serious damage
to leaves, then overwinter to resume their attack the following spring. Neem
oil is the best treatment for four-lined bugs.