Gondre Korean Thistle Seeds
Gondre Korean Thistle Seeds - Cirsium setidens - 곤드레
곤드레
- Estimated hardy to Zone 6
Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Germination Tested Not tested
- Approximately 20 seeds per pack
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Gondre is a wild Korean mountain vegetable, or san-namul (산나물). There is a robust culture of eating these seasonal, wild-foraged vegetables in Korea, and it is believed that they help to restore one's ki (energy) after winter. many of these varieties are now farmed, but some people do still forage for these special ingredients while they are in season.
Gondre is wonderfully aromatic, and is classic temple food in Korea, where it is eaten with rice. It's slightly bitter, which is just what I want to wake my body up and detox in the springtime. I boiled the young leaves briefly until they were bright green, dunked in cold water to preserve the colour, squeezed and chopped them, then served on a rice bowl alongside salmon eggs, cucumber, carrot, and topped with soy sauce and a sprinkle of seaweed. It was delicious and nourishing!
The young leaves don't have prickles and are suitable for eating, but with age the plant gets a bit prickly, so I wouldn't recommend it in a school garden or somewhere that people are likely to brush up against it often.
Korean thistle flowers all summer long, and the charming purple flowers are a favourite of bumblebees. I see the endangered Western Bumblebee feasting on these flowers often in the summer. The seeds disperse on fluff like dandelions, but I have only found them lightly self seeding near to the mother plants. Plants are about 4 feet tall when flowering.
I have these growing in an unirrigated area beside a young cherry tree. The plants do quite well but I'm sure they would appreciate more regular watering and better soil. There is some variation in leaf shape and colour in the population, so some further selection could be done.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, and Internationally for a flat rate of $20*. Shipping costs to the US will include the cost of a phytosanitary inspection and certificate, as well as tariffs.
Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada.
Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars, and may change without notice.
Shipping in Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.
Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
Shipping charges to the US will also now include a government phytosanitary inspection and certificate. This will be bundled into the shipping cost. We ship via Canada Post, and any applicable duties will be calculated at checkout. So far (as of Sept 1, 2025), it's looking like there are no duties charged on seeds.
Please expect delays for US shipping, as during busy times it can take up to 2 weeks for us to book a phytosanitary inspection.
Shipping Internationally
International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page
Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option.
Return Policy
If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
