Fuller’s Teasel – 10 Seeds

Fuller’s teasel (Dipsacus sativus) can grow to a height of nearly 1m and bears very pale lilac (almost white) heads of flowers with hooked bracts. There are also hooks on the flowering stems. Sometimes called Indian Teasel, it has comb-like flower heads that were used in the wool industry to bring up the nap in woolen cloth. The plant is also known for it’s medicinal benefits.

It is a biennial plant. It germinates in its first year, and flowers in its second. The first year it appears as a rosette of spine-coated leaves, which die in the second year as energy is diverted to growing the tall stem.The Teasel flowers are very popular with bees, birds and hummingbirds who love the flowers and seeds.

Teasel is unique in the plant world in the way in which it blooms. Flowers form first in a ring around the middle of the spherical or oval flower head. The flowers open sequentially toward the top and bottom, the ring growing in width over a few days, as the flowering progresses. Since the flowers are relatively short lived, the center section may complete its blooming, leaving two rings, one growing towards the top and one towards the bottom of the inflorescence.

Fuller’s Teasel Medicinal Benefits

• The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic.
• An infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice.
• The root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use.
• The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows.
• A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases.

Growing Fuller’s Teasel

Teasel plants will perform well in sunny areas with well-drained soil. Once established they need very little care and are fairly drought tolerant.

• The Teasel seeds can be directly sown in the ground in early spring or started indoors.
• Sow the Fuller’s Teasel seeds and lightly cover the seeds with soil.
• Keep moist until germination.
• Germination is in 7 – 14 days.
• Thin the Teasel seedlings to 12 inches apart.