How To Grow Globe Thistle (Blue Globe Thistle): Planting, Care Tips ID Chart

If you are a fan of flower arrangements, you must have come across Globe Thistle at some point.

In addition to boosting the appeal of fresh and dried bouquets, this striking flower can also be a delightful fit for your home garden.

When you learn a few Globe Thistle facts and planting tips, you can confidently take care of these spherical blue flowers and show them off to your family, friends, and community.

To help you turn this learning process into a walk in the park, here is an easy explainer on how to grow Globe Thistle along with some essential planting and care tips.

Globe Thistle Growing Zone Information: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for Globe Thistle

Before you set out your tools to start growing Globe Thistle, you may want to know which of the 11 regions in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map are the most suitable for these plants.⁹

Since these zones are categorized according to their average annual minimum winter temperature, looking into this info lets you easily figure out if your local environment offers the best growing conditions for Globe Thistle.

You might be happy to know that learning about this information is not difficult at all: The recommended USDA Plant Hardiness Zones for Globe Thistle are 2a-8b.

How To Plant Blue Globe Thistle (Echinops): Best Growing Conditions for Globe Thistle

Apart from learning about the recommended USDA Hardiness Zone for Echinops ritro, you may also want to learn more about the following planting tips for Globe Thistle.

How To Start Growing a Globe Thistle From a Seed, Cutting, or Seedling

You can propagate Globe Thistle plants a variety of ways that range from planting a seed to cultivating a seedling.

• Seed

In order to grow your Globe Thistle from seeds, you need to source the seeds either from a fresh flower that you dry out or seed packages that you buy from a store. But no matter the method you choose, you might want to plant these seeds by mid-spring if you are growing them outdoors.

This is when to plant Globe Thistle for the best yield for outdoor planting.¹⁰ If you plan to grow Globe Thistle indoors, you can also plant them as late as 8 weeks before fall frost.¹¹

In this case, you would need to keep the seeds in a refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.¹² After that, you can plant them in small pots to germinate for approximately 1 week.

Afterwards, you can plant them outside by spring time.

• Cutting

To grow your Globe Thistle from a cutting, you need to make these cuttings in spring. Make sure that the cutting size is 2-3 inches before you plant them during the same season.¹⁰

You can also propagate Globe Thistle by division.¹² But in order to do that, you need to make sure that the plant is at least 3 years old.

You should go through with the division process in spring as well.

• Seedling

If you happen to get your hands on Globe Thistle seedlings, you need to make a point of planting them outdoors by spring. Afterwards, you should remember to water them daily for at least two weeks.¹²

How Often Should You Water Globe Thistle?

You might be happy to know that the watering needs for Globe Thistle plants are quite straightforward. While you may want to do weekly watering for new Globe Thistle plants for at least a month, established Echinops ritro need no watering until they seem dry.¹³

This makes Globe Thistle a low maintenance plant right off the bat.

What Is the Average Globe Thistle Growth Rate?

In case you are wondering how long it takes to grow Globe Thistle, you might be delighted to know that the plant has a fast growth rate. If you plant your Globe Thistle by May, you can expect to see the stunning spherical blooms by mid-summer or a bit later.¹³

How Much Space Should You Leave Between Globe Thistle Plants?

While learning how far apart to plant Globe Thistle, you can simply note down the golden rule of putting at least 2 feet of space between these plants.

(Image: MabelAmber²²)

You can also keep this tip fresh in your mind by associating it with the average width of Globe Thistle that happens to be 2 feet as well.¹

How Much Sun Does Blue Globe Thistle Need?

If you are wondering how much sunlight does Globe Thistle need each day, the answer is not hard to find. Similar to many other perennial plants that live for several growing seasons,¹⁴ Globe Thistle thrives under full sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.¹²

How To Stop Globe Thistle Disease

You will be relieved to hear that Globe Thistle disease prevention is not a massive challenge. It’s because the plant is quite sturdy by itself and stands strong against many threats.

With that being said, your Globe Thistle may still fall prey to crown rot.¹⁵ You can prevent this disease by ensuring proper drainage for your Globe Thistle or using fungicides.

Does Globe Thistle Attract Pests?

While you can count on Globe Thistle to keep many pests at bay, it can still attract some unwanted guests. Two of the most common pests of the Globe Thistle include aphids and four-lined plant bugs.¹³

(Image: Nikolett Emmert (niki_emmert)²³)

You can use natural pest control for Globe Thistle to get rid of aphids. But for four-lined plant bugs, you may need special products such as pesticides or insecticide soap.¹⁶

If money is not an issue, you can also look into exterminator prices to hire a professional.

What Are Some Companion Plants For Growing Globe Thistle?

You can take inspiration from the following plants that are thought to be great companions to Globe Thistle.¹⁷

• Coneflower
• Yarrow
• Sage
• Stonecrop
• Bee Balm

If you are looking for easy-growing plants that do not ask much from you, blue Globe Thistle might be the perfect fit for you.

Even when you offer little care and minimal maintenance to Globe Thistle, this gorgeous plant blooms year after year and lives on for at least a decade.