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 P P     P P P P P

(Best months for growing Burdock in Australia - sub-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

06 Feb 10, Sharonne (Australia - temperate climate)
SHIPARDS HERBS in Queensland have every medicinal herb u can want both in seeds and plants. They ship anywhere in Australia
18 Apr 10, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know where can i buy this burdock roots. I live in Brisbane and i don't know where to get it. Thank you
07 Jun 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have raised garden beds because my soil is stoney. Has anyone tried to grow burdock in bins? That sounds easy to get 90cm of sandy loam happening.
08 Aug 21, Vicki (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,I have successfully grown burdock in raised garden beds here in Geelong. Just yesterday I harvested a root weighing a nice 1.7kg so if I can grow in here where it's cooler then anyone can
01 Mar 11, Mickey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As a good Gobo-burdock grows its root over 1 meter, we, Japanese gardeners sometimes lay galvanized iron (or plastic) sheets in soil with 15 - 20 degree angle like this//////, and plant the seedlings in betrween the sheets. The width of the sheets depends on the width of your vegi patch, and you may plant Gobo in each row as many as you like as long as they have at least 15 cm space between them. As the roots grow, it hits the sheet and grow side way in angle along the sheet in the soil. At the harvesting time, you can easily remove the sheets one by one. It is much easier than trying to dig out 1 meter hole along the root. I have grown many 1.2 meter Gobos in my 30cm high raised garden beds in this way.
29 Mar 11, Doug (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A brilliant idea. I've got a heap of ex-roofing iron sheets, so will give this one a try!
08 Apr 11, Dennis (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Mickey, I'd like to grown Gobo/Burdock in my herbal garden in Melbourne... Please advice where could I get some of Gobo seed in Melbourne? Thank you
30 Apr 11, Mickey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I order my asian vege seeds at www.4seasonsseeds.com.au .
08 Apr 11, Theresa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Could you please tell me where can i buy burdock root. I live in Melbourne, Australia Thanks
13 Oct 11, Jenny (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dear Where can I buy the burdock roots in ACT? Please help. Thanks
Showing 11 - 20 of 49 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Burdock

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.