Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by plant lust

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Show all photos

Acanthus mollis

Also Known As

Bear's Breeches

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 3'-4'
W: 3'-5'

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Acanthus mollis plant details

Acanthus mollis is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer lavender and white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acanthus mollis

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: acanthaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: lavender and white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: big leaves, showy, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acanthus mollis

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Acanthus mollis is a dramatic architectural plant from both sides of the Mediterranean with large, glossy, mid-green leaves and strong upright flower spikes 3-4 feet tall of white flowers with dusty purple bracts. The leaves were frequently used by the Greeks who adorned many of their sculptures and buildings with representations of Acanthus. Evergreen in mild winters, especially if protected by overhanging trees or large shrubs. Tolerant of dry shade.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A stately plant whose large handsome glossy green leaves were the inspiration for the Corinthian columns of classical Greece. Tall spikes of mauve, foxglove-like flowers are useful in dried arrangements. PSh-S/M/GDr

By: Forestfarm

Bear's Breeches or Oyster Plant is a shade loving and drought tolerant species native to arid landscapes. Leaves are evergreen in zone 8 and up, dies back in zones 6 and 7 in harsh winters and re-sprouts in the spring. Will grow in zone 6 if given a semi-protected area in well drained soil, very cold and wet conditions can rot the roots and is the main cause of plant failure in cold zones. Very easy to grow in warmer climates and requires very little care.

Plants are fairly large and will form a clump several feet in diameter. Oyster Plant looks its best when given a bit of room but planted in a semi circle around a much larger plant, such as a small or medium sized tree. The June and July flowers are unique and draw interest even from a great distance, but not nearly as much as the massive leaves which can measure several feet long. The leaves are soft and resemble the texture of a banana leaf, although tougher and less likely to shred in wind especially considering their size. The leaves are much friendlier than of the closely related species, A. spinosus which is a plant you do not want to come in direct contact with!

Although this plant will grow in sunny areas in cool climates, medium afternoon shade will produce the most impressively sized leaves. Morning sun will encourage brighter red color in the flowers.

Plants are shipped during the dormant season with the leaves cut off, plant the grown so that it is just poking up out of the ground with the roots spread out as much as possible (avoid bunching up the roots into a tangled ball as much as possible). From the one gallon size you should have a full sized plant in 1-2 years. Fertilize with a slow release pellet in April, our favorite brand is Osmocote.

Propagating Acanthus mollis/Bear's Breech

You can divide crowns in late fall, cut off the leaves at ground level and plant the crowns buried at ground level. You can also propagate from root cuttings alone. Roots are thick and travel out away from the plant. In late fall, dig around the plant and cut off roots about a half inch (1 cm) in diameter and three to five inches long. Place horizontally in well drained soil buried about inch down. One of the best materials for planting root cuttings in is the potting soil mix we recommend, use the first mix without the coco coir. Use this mix for planting root cuttings in, it's what we use at our nursery for root cuttings.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Acanthus mollis is less hardy than A. spinosus. The leaves are glossy green and have soft spines. The purple and white flower spikes can reach a height of 6 feet. Provide a growing area with full sun or partial shade and a well-drained soil. Foliage will be lusher when planted in part shade. Flowers dry easily when cut or left on the plant.

By: Garden World

Shiny dark green oak-shape leaves

By: Jockey Hill Nursery

The classic bears breech, whose foliage decorates Greek columns, they have lovely dense spikes of purple veined white flowers, 3 ft. high, best in a slightly shaded protected place. ZONE 6

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Rosettes of huge, glossy, dark green, sharply serrated leaves thrust from the soil with the onset of autumn rain. In spring sceptres of mauve and white shell like flowers stand sentry over the brooding mounds of foliage. Found throughout the Meditteranean it's at its best with no summer water but plenty of winter moisture and is tolerant of any soil that isn't waterlogged. Extremely architectural if given the space or as contrast to other boldly leaved plants such as Melianthus major. Representations of the leaves are commonly found in ancient roman architecture and are often still encountered in classical designs of today.

By: Zephs

Large glossy leaves add bold foliage to your garden with this mostly hardy perennial. The large deeply cut leaves were the inspiration for the leaves of Corinthian capitals. Huge flower spikes of purple and white stand above the leaves in summer. May be cut back to the ground in cold winter areas but returns from the root. Grows in a clump 3' tall by 3' wide.

By: Fantastic Plants

Tall spikes of lavender and purple flowers are held on sturdy stems above the beautiful rich glossy green foliage in late summer and fall. An easy and hardy perennial. The leaf pattern was used extensively in Greek architecture. Bear's Breeches is a slowly spreading perennial that lends its form, flowers, and foliage to the shaded garden. This perennial needs good drainage and average moisture to perform well.

By: Almost Eden

The foliage of this Mediterranean plant was the inspiration for Corinthian columns. Beautiful lustrous green foliage forms at the base of stately spires of white flowers sheathed in purple bracts. Hardiness is the issue...It can comeback in protected zone 6 gardens when grown in very well drained soil that heats up early in the season. Best in zone 7 or warmer climates, where it can remain evergreen. Reports of it being invasive in warm winter areas.

By: Avant Gardens

This species is tall, growing to 5' when in bloom. The leaves are spineless, up to 2' long, and lobed with deep dissections. Flowers appear in late spring or early summer; 3' long racemes of white flowers, accented by purple stems.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Shiny deep green leaves of large size and arching form are another choice for the tropical, lush look. Erect 4 foot stems with burgundy and white flowers. 4' wide plants

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Purple and white flowers on stalks to 3 ft.

Acanthus mollis plant details

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acanthus mollis

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acanthus mollis

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Garden photo gallery of Acanthus mollis

Gardening facts about Acanthus mollis plant

How to Grow Acanthus mollis

Sun Exposure

Water Needs

Soil Needs

Features

Foliage Color

Flower Color

Wildlife

Flower Season

Foliage Season

Texture

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Acanthus for your garden

Acanthus spinosus

Plant Type

Zones

Size

Acanthus sennii

Plant Type

Zones

Size

Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan'

Plant Type

Zones

Size

Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'

Plant Type

Zones

Size

Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel'

Plant Type

Zones

Size

Mailing List

Need Help

Quick Links

Ordering Plants

For Contributors

Company info