Sonchus brassicifolius (Dendroseris litoralis)

Robinson Crusoe’s cabbage tree
Robinson Crusoe’s cabbage tree develops into an open shrub with big, tropical-looking leaves and pendulous orange dandelion flowers. Excellent at the beach, or in any cool, coastal zones.
Sonchus brassicifolius (Dendroseris litoralis)Sonchus brassicifolius (Dendroseris litoralis)Sonchus brassicifolius (Dendroseris litoralis)
synonyms Dendroseris litoralis
height 3–7ft
width 2–7ft
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Fog, Salt, Wind
water
needs		 Moderate
water
info		 Water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every week or two in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it doesn’t run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.

There are places in Sunset Zone 17 with consistent fog drip or natural subsoil moisture that this plant thrives and could even naturalize in areas under trees without additional irrigation.
hardy
to		 28F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil
fertilizing All Purpose 1/2 Strength
origin Juan Fernandez Islands (Masatierra), Chile
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 16, 17, 22–H1

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Special Interest

A relative of dandelions, lettuce, and chicory, this species’s leaves are considered edible, although we have not tried them. It’s possible they’re bitter like their relatives.