Photo: "De beaux crosnes du Japon" by Idéalités · CC BY-SA 4.0

Crosne · Japanese-tuber

Crosne tubers

Perennial · Lamiaceae

Crosne, also called Chinese artichoke, is a small crisp white tuber with a distinctive segmented shape and a mild nutty crunch. It is grown as a specialty fall crop and harvested after the tops die back, when the underground tubers have fully formed. It suits patient gardeners who enjoy unusual roots and can manage a careful hand harvest.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

180–220 days

Sun

6+ hours

full sun 6-8 hours

Spacing

6–18 "

Seed Start

0 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

10+ gallon pot

Height

0.5–2 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "

Needs Moderate

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Soil Type Loose, stone-free, well-drained soil that lets bulbs or tubers expand evenly.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: High Drought: Moderate

Common Problems

rot

Cause: Wet or compacted soil damages planting stock and storage organs.

Prevention: Improve drainage and avoid overwatering.

rust-or-leaf-spot

Cause: Foliage diseases build in crowded or humid plantings.

Prevention: Rotate crops, improve airflow, and remove infected debris.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress

Harvest

Harvest when tops yellow or die back, or when tubers/bulbs reach useful size for the intended use.

Expected Yield 0.5–3 lbs/plant

Storage 14 days — Store cold and humid like other delicate tubers or leave in the ground until needed.

Sources

seed_catalog Annapolis Seeds seed_catalog The Farm on Central university General horticulture reference

Crosne tubers Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Crosne tubers vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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