Photo: "Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)" by troye owens
· CC BY-SA 2.0
Sunchoke · Perennial-tuber
Jerusalem artichoke tubers
Perennial · Asteraceae
Jerusalem artichoke, or sunchoke, is a tall sunflower relative grown for knobby edible tubers with a sweet, nutty flavor that improves after frost. It is productive, perennial, and easy to overwinter, but it can spread aggressively if every tuber is not lifted. It suits gardeners who want a resilient food-security crop and have room to manage a patch.
At a Glance
Days to Maturity
110–150 days
Sun
6+ hours
full sun 6-8 hours
Spacing
6–18 "
Seed Start
0 weeks
before transplant
Container
Not Ideal
15+ gallon pot
Height
6–10 ft
Zone Planting Guide
Growing Guide
Watering
Weekly Water1–1.5 "
NeedsConsistent
MethodDrip
Soil
pH Range6–7
Soil TypeLoose, stone-free, well-drained soil that lets bulbs or tubers expand evenly.
SupportStake — Tall stems can be staked in windy sites.
Resilience
Heat: ModerateCold: ModerateDrought: 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.
Harvest after tops yellow and frost has sweetened tubers, or dig smaller 'baby' tubers earlier.
Expected Yield0.5–3 lbs/plant
Storage
30 days — Store unwashed tubers very cold and humid, or leave in the ground and dig as needed.
Sources
seed_catalog
Old Farmer's Almanac
university
Clemson Cooperative Extension
university
Purdue Vegetable Crops Encyclopedia
Jerusalem artichoke tubers Planting Dates by Zone
Planting dates for Jerusalem artichoke tubers vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.
