Bear's breeches
Acanthus mollis · Acanthaceae
📷 Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Contact peau avec sève peut causer dermatite légère chez enfants sensibilisés.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant bear's breeches: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, large deeply lobed and decorative leaves
- Flowering
- June to August, upright spikes white-pink to purple
- Mature size
- Approximately 100 cm tall, 60 to 80 cm spread
- Growth
- Moderate, reaches mature size in 2 to 3 years
- Hardiness
- Hardy to -15°C, can be grown throughout France
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin (Italy, Balkans)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter, tolerates most soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Acanthus mollis has slow growth in its first year, then accelerates strongly. Enrich the soil with compost and water regularly during the first summer.
The common mistake
Trying to move or divide it too early: you need to wait at least 3-4 years for it to be properly established.
The pro's trick
Deadhead spent flowers as soon as they soften to prevent aggressive self-seeding.
Care
Light exposure
Acanthus mollis appreciates partial shade, ideally with 4 to 6 hours of sun per day. It also tolerates partial shade in warm regions, but flowers better with good light. Avoid harsh summer sun in Mediterranean climates.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to encourage establishment. Once established, acanthus resists summer drought well thanks to its deep roots. Reduce watering in autumn and winter, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged.
Soil and planting
Plant in well-drained soil enriched with compost or potting mix at planting time. Acanthus prefers light, rich soils but adapts to most soils. Avoid waterlogged or overly compacted areas that cause root rot.
Pruning and tidying
Remove spent flowers to extend flowering and prevent self-seeding. Cut stems to ground level in late autumn or early February, after the last frost. Regularly tidy dead or damaged leaves during the growing season.
Fertilizer
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Add well-decomposed compost on the soil surface each autumn to gradually enrich the soil. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Acanthus mollis is relatively disease-resistant. Watch for slugs and snails that can damage young leaves in spring. Stagnant moisture can rarely cause rot; ensure good drainage to prevent this.
Did you know?
Acanthus mollis inspired ancient Greek architecture: the floral pattern of acanthus foliage decorates Corinthian capitals and comprises one of the most beautiful ornaments of Antiquity. Mediterranean civilizations already cultivated it as an ornamental plant and symbol of natural elegance, and this botanical prestige endured through the Renaissance.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Uruguayan Firecracker PlantDicliptera squarrosa
- Hungarian Bear’s-BreechesAcanthus hungaricus
- GoldfussiaStrobilanthes anisophylla
- Ethiopian acanthusAcanthus sennii
- Avicennia germinansAvicennia germinans
- Avicennia marinaAvicennia marina
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.