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
  • Jerusalem Artichoke/Sunchoke
  • Artichoke harvest

These are the edible root of a sunflower. Plant the tubers deep enough to cover with soil. They are quite drought-tolerant, but keep well-watered to grow larger tubers. They grow through the summer to 1.5 m tall sunflowers with a smallish flower. Dig up the tubers when the flowers die down in autumn.

Get a couple of tubers from the supermarket or fruit shop. Two years after planting you will probably have enough to give away. Perennial, if you don't manage to harvest all the tubers they will regrow year after year.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Jerusalem Artichokes

Scrape clean or peel (add a tsp of lemon or vinegar to the water to stop the tubers browning). Steam, boil, or use in artichoke soup (make with artichokes and some stock). Caution - because they contain 'resistent starch' Jerusalem Artichokes are a great promoter of flatulence in some individuals.

Your comments and tips

21 Mar 24, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try the local organic stop
15 Oct 23, Dave M. (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Could you point me towards an NZ supplier please. Not having much luck finding one. Thank you.
18 Nov 23, Cesare Stella (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
just get some from the supermarket
19 Oct 23, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet.
19 Apr 22, Lex (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have had a scratch and they are producing tubers, so they don't have to flower.
17 Apr 22, Lex (New Zealand - temperate climate)
This is my first attempt at growing Jerusalem artichokes. I'm in a temperate zone and planted them in November. Only one plant has produced one flower! Will this be a problem?
10 Oct 20, liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
HI there. Can I still plant tubers in the garden in middle of spring?
12 Oct 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go to the top of the J A page.
01 Aug 20, Judy Amstad (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where do I buy the seed artichokes to grow from please.
03 Aug 20, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Look up seed selling websites in NZ.
Showing 1 - 10 of 45 comments

Mike, you can leave the tubers in the ground in warmer areas of NZ, we have done that in Northland. In fact it is difficult to find all the tubers, so they will probably shoot up in the Spring even if you have light frosts.

- Liz

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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.
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