Carlina acanthifolia
Care, watering, light and tips for Carlina acanthifolia on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
About Carlina acanthifolia
Carlina acanthifolia, also known as Acanthus-leaved Carline or Cardabelle, is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family, distinguished by its large basal rosette of spiny leaves and a solitary, flat inflorescence resembling a paper flower. Native to mountainous regions of Europe, it is a robust, low-maintenance plant that adds a rustic and sculptural touch to rock gardens, path borders, or as an ornamental plant in large pots.
Native range
Mountainous regions of Southern Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans.
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal growth and abundant flowering. It is very drought-tolerant once established, so water sparingly, only when the substrate is completely dry. It prefers poor, well-drained, and preferably calcareous soils; waterlogging is the most common mistake to avoid, as it can lead to root rot.