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garden
Jerusalem artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
EdibleMedicinal
Overview
Neither from Jerusalem nor an artichoke, this native North American sunflower relative produces knobby, nutty-sweet tubers that taste like a cross between artichoke heart and sunflower seed. Also called sunchoke, it was a staple food for many Native American peoples and can be incredibly productive — a single plant may yield 5-10 pounds of tubers. Be warned: it spreads aggressively and is nearly impossible to remove once established.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureDry
Hardiness Zones3a — 8
Height2.99m
Spread0.6m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Bloom ColorYellow
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.8 — 7
Soil TypeAdaptable; produces in nearly any soil condition
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant tubers 4" deep in early spring; extremely cold hardy; spreads aggressively |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Oct — Nov | Dig after first hard frost sweetens tubers; leave some to regrow |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant tubers in spring; contain — will take over a garden bed |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Oct — Dec | Harvest after frost; tubers keep better in ground than in fridge |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; grows 6-10 feet tall; attractive sunflower-like blooms |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Dig as needed through winter; flavor improves with cold |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Jan — Feb | Plant in winter; grows in almost any soil |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Harvest in fall/winter; store in damp sand |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Plant in fall; tolerates heat; invasive grower |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Harvest during cool months; knobby tubers with nutty flavor |
Uses
Culinary
- Roasted until caramelized and nutty
- Sliced thin and eaten raw in salads
- Pureed into creamy soups
Medicinal
- Extremely high in inulin, a prebiotic fiber for gut health
- Low glycemic index despite sweet flavor, useful for blood sugar management
- Rich in iron and potassium
Other Uses
- Tall sunflower-like plants create a living privacy screen
- Edible permaculture groundcover (caution: aggressive spreader)
