General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Open fields, roadsides, sandy barrens, and disturbed areas
Native States: Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas
Growing Zones: 7-10
Size at Maturity: 3-5 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Phenology: Biennial or short-lived perennial
Life Cycle: Biennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping
Bloom Season: Summer to fall
Bloom Color: Yellow
 
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
Soil Texture: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soils
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Dry to average moisture
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low
Keystone Plant: No
 
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, naturalized areas
Maintenance Tips: Tolerates drought; prune back spent flowers to encourage further blooming
Considerations: Can be aggressive in some areas; may require maintenance to prevent spreading in the garden
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Yes
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
 
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
Historical Medicinal Uses: Historically used by Native Americans for its purported ability to treat various ailments, though it is not commonly used today
Florida Native Companion Plant: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes
Propagation: Seed
 
Yellow Thistle is a hardy wildflower, attracting various pollinators with its bright yellow blooms. It is suitable for native gardens and naturalized landscapes, where it can provide valuable nectar to bees and butterflies. However, its aggressive nature may require some control in more cultivated or formal gardens.