Musk thistle grows in all soil textures, but the soils must be well drained. It is most abundant in fertile soils but may be found in poorer soils. Musk thistle occurs on soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.9. Although some research has shown a dormancy period of up to 8 weeks, germination usually begins 14 to 21 days after the seed is dispersed in the fall. Additional seeds may germinate the following spring.
Seeds germinate at high rates in soil cracks or rough microtopographies with reduced evaporation.
Although lower rates of germination occur under nearly all natural conditions. The transition from seedling to rosette occurs rapidly. These conditions normally occur over winter, but sometimes occur after musk thistle seed germination in the spring, allowing these plants to flower and set seed the same year, thus behaving as annuals. Research has shown if a rosette reaches a diameter of at least 36 cm it will flower the following season independent of vernalization. Bolting begins as early as April and continues into June.