Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                    P P

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Easy to grow. Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 59°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomatoes, cucumbers

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
25 Aug 21, Laura (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Hi All, Sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes grow great in Edmonton Alberta. I grow them for the flowers in my flower beds at the back. They are a wonderful perennial veggie and in the colder zones, we are limited on or perennial edible plants.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Feb 25, Roberta (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Are you able to leave the tubers in the ground over winter? I'm planting some this year for the first time. I've heard conflicting advice on over-wintering the tubers in 3b.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jul 21, Leah Peterson (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Will Sunchokes die in extreme heat? Even with irrigation?
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Aug 21, Anon (Australia - tropical climate)
By the guide here in Tropical Australia (hottest weather) you plant in Autumn and grow into/in winter. Summer might be too hot.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Jun 21, Colleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There's a yellow flowering bush that looks like Jerusalem Artichoke that grows wild around northern rivers- Uki NSW Australia that seems similar but flower looks a bit bigger & grows quite tall & I think the leaves are wider with a different shape, not ovste like the Sunchoke. Does anyone know if these plants that can run rampant are from the same family as the Jerusalem Artichoke?
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Nov 22, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Probably Tithonia Diversifolia or "mexican sunflower"
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Oct 20, liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
HI there. Can I still plant tubers in the garden in middle of spring?
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Oct 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go to the top of the J A page.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Sep 20, Skip Still (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When and how much sun for Jerusalem artichoke bulb? When to plant. Other recommendations (Gardenate : Check here www.gardenate.com/plant/Jerusalem Artichokes?zone=114 )
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Aug 20, Judy Morris (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
When do you plant and harvest Jerusalem artichokes in the winter rainfall areas of South Africa?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 304 comments
See comments for all plants

I've been growing these for some years now and am a huge fan. Absolutely LOVE them. So do my chickens, turkeys, horses, sheep, cattle and dogs. All except dogs will eat tops and tubers. Dogs only eat the tubers. Cats don't much care for any part of them tho. Cooking tips: I like them best roasted. Cut into 1" x 1" (2cm x 2cm) or so, put on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive or coconut oil, salt, pepper maybe a little basil or rosemary. Roast at 350F (180C) for 25 - 40 min. They come out about the same consistency as roasted garlic - almost like a paste. Use on a nice cracker with a small slice of cream cheese. Side with a glass of a nice, oaky Chardonnay, a good movie and a sexy friend. I'm done. Night, night. Growing tips: don't do anything to them except give them water and some good manure. If you want to get fancy, cut off the flowers and put them in a vase in the kitchen. (Stripping the flowers puts more energy into the tuber production.) Ungrowing tips: If you want to get rid of them, mow them off once a week and don't water. Turn out pigs or chickens. They will dig up every living morsel and consume it. CAUTION! Do NOT use a rototiller on them. It cuts the tubers into microslices and only encourages them to propagate. Enjoy your sunchokes. They are a gift from the gods.

- Deborah Wells

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.