Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • 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

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29 Aug 12, hz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I bet they'll grow and in 2 yrs you will be trying to eradicate them lol !
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21 Aug 12, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
I am worried about them becoming unmanageable in time and spreading into neighbouring beds. Can you contain them somehow to a small patch?
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15 Nov 12, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)
Can be a pain when they do spread.. had an accident where some escaped into long grass..now I have five new plants. I grow mine in a 1/2 wine barrel. Also plant in some climbing beans to run up the stalks during summer to value add the crop.
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27 Jul 12, Alan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Could you please give some advice to planting artichokes in west Aussie I live in the Perth are what is the best time to plant them where I live thanking you
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16 Jan 13, Hans Rudolf Wellinger (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted mine in September in Perth, after having bought some fresh tubers in Bunnings. They are now over 2m tall and doing very well. I am not sure why they grow so well, because I have tried them unsucessful on several occasions before.
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19 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They will be fine Val. You can't kill them, and they grow fast and multiply. I started with three small corms (2cm across), about 4 years ago. I now have a patch about 3 metres square.
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19 Jul 12, Meg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When are Jerusalem artichokes in the shops? I live south of Melbourne. Thanks
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18 Jul 12, Anthony (Australia - temperate climate)
Would they grow if u put the peels in the soil
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04 Sep 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
yes they will.
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13 Jul 12, Val O (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I saw some jerusalem artichokes in Woolies, and bought them intending to plant, but I see that it is in our warm weather you advise, if I plant them now in July will they just rot in the ground. If so how can I store them as they hardly ever appear in the stores
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Showing 131 - 140 of 169 comments
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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

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