Growing Burdock, also Gobo (Japanese Burdock)

Arctium lappa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Burdock in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 17-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed.

Your comments and tips

25 May 10, Luis O (Australia - tropical climate)
James, I'm not sure about fresh ones, but I used to buy dried ones in Sydney chinese medicine shops. You may find them in cylinder shape boxes or loose ones in chinatown (little broke st)
14 Sep 09, Richard, Perth (Australia - temperate climate)
I like to grow some burdock plants in my backyard. Where can I get its seeds or seedlings? Is it suitable to grow as a pot plant? If yes, what size of pots?
05 Jun 14, Dean (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have gobo seeds in Brisbane. I have a few to share if anyone is interested? Ph 0432 414 266.
16 May 09, Kenny (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Another ebay store that has them is TheSeedCollection thats where i got mine much cheaper than anywhere else.
25 Mar 09, Kat (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Jonathan, you don't have a recipe for that tea do you? I grew up in the UK and I remember is dandelion and burdock as my favorite fizzy drink! I have seen mention of an old fashioned cordial too, which I guess is where the fizzy drink idea came from.
12 Dec 08, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)
Burdock and other culinary and medicinal seeds can be bought cheap and in bulk from Pleasance Seeds. Google for address.
01 Nov 08, Jonathan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The Japanese are great consumers of Burdock, or "Gobo" stir fried with carrot and chilli and soy and is fantastic - called "Kinpira Gobo" it is a lovely dish. I sometimes buy my seed in Japan and if anyone would like me to get some, I can pick some up the next time I'm there... It's ok to import as long as customs see the original packet and can see that the contents have not been tampered with. I have just dug up my first crop but didnt realise the fingers grow really deep and should really be harvested quite early to get them really tender. To think we used to drink dandelion and burdock tea when i was a kid in the U.K... It seems such a under-rated veggie and has a delicious nutty flavour.
23 Jun 10, kim chi pham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How can I buy burdoch seed from Japan. Thanks kim chi
07 Jul 08, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)
goto edenseeds.com.au - great people and seeds
Showing 41 - 49 of 49 comments

Dear Where can I buy the burdock roots in ACT? Please help. Thanks

- Jenny

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.