Plant in full coastal sun to light shade (seems best with full morning sun) and water regularly to occasionally - will go summer dormant without irrigation and if treated this way can be considered "drought tolerant". Foliage is knocked back by a frost, but it is root hardy to about 5 degrees F. Trim off the spiny remains of the flower stalk after flowering. This plant expands its presence in the garden by rhizomes that can be dug up but it is best contained by root barriers to lessen the spread - is considered invasive by some gardeners but doesn't seem to be out of control in our mediterranean climate. Control snails and slugs that disfigure the bold foliage.

Bear's Breeches is native to Portugal in southern Europe east around the Mediterranean Sea to Croatia and across to North Africa. The name for the genus is derived from the Greek word 'įkantha' which means "thorn" or "spike" and the specific epithet is Latin for "soft" or "smooth", in reference to the texture of the leaves. Other common names include Bearsfoot, Grecian Plant, Wild Rhubarb and in Australia it is called Oyster Plant, which likely refers to the white, flattened flowers. The striking leaves are considered to have been inspiration for decorations of Greco-Roman architecture. 

The information about Acanthus mollis that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.