Why Am I So Obsessed with the Acanthus Plant Right Now?
- Amelia Marriette
- Jul 26
- 8 min read
The Long Wait for One Flower: My Acanthus Story Begins
In 2018, my partner and I travelled to Barcelona to meet up with a group of friends and celebrate a significant birthday. I remember our first impressions of the noisy and colourful parrots flying around. But, most of all, we fell in love with the huge acanthus specimens, which were everywhere in parks and at Gaudí's house; they filled a whole bank with their gigantic spiky leaves and the tall, majestic flowers glowing in the hot May sunshine. We found a little stall selling plants and bought a tiny acanthus plant.
For seven years, absolutely nothing happened – okay, a few leaves grew all glossy and lovely, but not one flower.
I am British, and my partner is Austrian; we live in Austria, so creating a garden from scratch has been a significant challenge, involving a lot of ongoing work. So, today, I decided to clear the path that runs behind our English cottage garden. The path was overrun with columbines, sweet williams, and a multitude of choking weeds.
It was hot, and the sweat was streaming into my eyes, so I looked up to wipe my brow and caught sight of a tall, purple, and white flower. My heart missed a beat – we had succeeded. We had managed to grow a single acanthus flower.
I shouted out in excitement to my partner, who was nearby picking tiny wild strawberries (I don't have the patience for that job!) She ran over and we gawped at our bloom, feeling the joy of it.
But, I can hear you saying, 'Well, this is exciting, thanks very much, so what!' I am here to tell you that the acanthus is a fascinating plant with a grand and illustrious history, and you're already familiar with it.
The Timeless Allure of the Acanthus
In 1992, I attended a lecture on 18th-century architecture, unaware that the main focus of the talk would be the acanthus leaf. When I read the handout, I wasn't excited about it, having never seen an acanthus plant and thinking that I had no knowledge of it. But I soon realised that I had been seeing it as a motif in architectural details, in wallpaper, textiles and in garden design all my life, but I had looked but not seen or understood. I recall that the lecturer was very passionate about the acanthus, eulogising over the dramatic leaves and the impressive statuette flowers, and she shared stories about it with us. This was a clever way to engage us: when nature connects with us, we are very good at taking an idea and enhancing and embellishing the built environment and the world we live in, a process that has been happening for centuries.
I can still remember the day vividly, with the sun streaming in through the open window, and we students sitting in awe of her knowledge. I can remember most of what she said; I have also had a fun time conducting my own research, so if I have whetted your appetite, please read on...
From Callimachus to Corinthian Columns: A Sculptural Legacy
The acanthus holds a special place in history, particularly in connection with the Corinthian column, a style originating in Ancient Greece and Rome. The story goes that a sculptor named Callimachus (310-240 BCE) was inspired by the sight of acanthus leaves growing around a basket on a maiden's tomb. This natural intertwining of leaves inspired the ornate capitals of Corinthian columns, symbolising life and beauty.
When Myth Meets Botany: The Tale of Acantha
The myth of Acantha is a lesser-known Greek tale involving the plant. According to the story, Acantha was a nymph who caught the attention of Apollo, the Greek Sun god. When she rejected his advances and scratched his face, Apollo retaliated by transforming her into the acanthus plant, known for its spiny leaves. The plant's thorny texture is said to symbolise her defiance and the consequences of resisting divine desire. The tale of Acantha is not found in classical Greek sources, and its author remains unknown. Scholars believe it likely originated in a much later period—possibly the 18th or early 19th Century—when mythological storytelling was often romanticised and botanically themed myths were popularised in encyclopedias and dictionaries.
The Romans embraced the Acanthus Motif
The Romans adopted the acanthus motif, making it a ubiquitous feature; they appreciated its elegance and incorporated it into their architecture.
The Acanthus is also used in the Art World
The acanthus leaf features heavily in the art world, showcasing its versatility and enduring appeal. Artists like the French decorative painter Alexis Peyrotte (1699–1769) were renowned for their intricate Rococo designs, particularly acanthus motifs and chinoiserie. He worked on royal commissions at Versailles and Fontainebleau, and many of his designs were engraved by Gabriel Huquier.
William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Revival
Additionally, designers such as William Morris in the 19th Century revived the acanthus motif in wallpapers, fabrics, and tapestries, further solidifying its presence in decorative arts. Through these various forms of artwork, the acanthus leaf remains a powerful symbol of elegance and the abundance of nature.
Acanthus in Modern Garden Design: From Soil to Shows
In today's garden design world, acanthus is far more than a historical footnote—it's a botanical showstopper. With its bold, sculptural foliage, it stands proudly at the centre of contemporary planting schemes and has earned its place in award-winning displays at events like the Chelsea Flower Show.
Seven Years, One Bloom: Our Acanthus Story
I think back to that lecture in 1992 that first sparked my fascination with this magnificent plant —and now, after seven years of anticipation, our own acanthus has finally flowered. The flowering of our acanthus plant today in the garden that my partner and I have created together now connects us to the vast tapestry of the acanthus' history, stretching back through millennia. In that single bloom, I see the mythology of the plant, the echoes of Corinthian columns, Arts & Crafts design, high-class garden schemes, and now alive and flourishing in our garden in Southern Austria. It's more than just a plant. It's a living bridge between ancient elegance and modern celebration, and a moment we will treasure in every leaf and petal.
The Extraordinary Journey of the Acanthus
This visual timeline illustrates the extraordinary journey of the acanthus as an artistic motif—from its legendary origin with the Greek sculptor Callimachus in 450 BCE, to its opulent use in Roman Corinthian columns, its revival during the 19th-century Arts & Crafts movement, and its enduring presence in modern garden design. The image draws a thread from myth to marble, wallpaper to wildflower, celebrating the acanthus as a timeless symbol of elegance and transformation.
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📚 Further Reading on the Acanthus Leaf
• Google Arts & Culture: Acanthus Motif
Explore a high-resolution example of the acanthus as an artistic and architectural symbol.
👉 View on Google Arts & Culture
• 11 Acanthus Leaf & Flower Symbolic Meanings
Discover the rich symbolism behind the acanthus in art, design, and spirituality.
👉 Read the article
• Greek Origins and Meanings – Greeker Than the Greeks
A deep dive into the mythological and architectural significance of the acanthus in classical Greece.
👉 Explore the story
• Jacki Kellum: How the Acanthus Influenced Art and Design
A rich narrative that explores how this iconic leaf has inspired artists across the centuries.
👉 Visit Jacki Kellum’s blog
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