Growing Artichokes (Globe)

Cynara scolymus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Artichokes (Globe) in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 64°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 63 - 79 inches apart
  • Harvest in 42-57 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Needs a lot of space. Best in separate bed
  • Ready to harvest
  • Globe artichokes

Superthistles growing to 1.2 - 1.3 m high with a spread of 1.2 x 1.2 m.

Very pretty, can be part of a herbacious border.

Harvest from second year. Artichokes grow particularly well in sandy soil. Can be propagated by suckers or offsets. In temperate/warm areas a well fertilised plant will live for about five years and throw up suckers each year. Artichokes aren't hardy enough to overwinter in areas with very cold winters. In cold areas choose a hardy variety from a local supplier and grow it as an annual, with 10 days' exposure to cool daytime temperatures during spring. Transplant only when all danger of frost is past in your area. Aphids and earwigs can be a nuisance.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Artichokes (Globe)

Pick buds before scales develop brown tips .
If you have lots of small buds, they can be fried in olive oil and eaten whole.
Rinse in plenty of cold water to remove earwigs or other insects.

Your comments and tips

01 Sep 24, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have three glove artichokes plants which did well last year. I cut the top off at the end of the season and left the roots and about 50cm stem. Will they grow again this year ?? Thanks
19 Aug 24, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
If artichokes are to be treated as an annual, and you’re supposed to harvest the second year, how does that work?
03 Jul 24, jenni langley (USA - Zone 8a climate)
When should I plant artichoke seeds outside?
19 Jul 24, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Spring is best
13 Apr 24, Janet (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I live in zone 9a. I'm in the desert. We have a lot of wind, 5 mph -- 20mph. We have worst wind in spring that occasionally blows 35mph! Our winters are cool and can dip to 32 one or two nights. We have early springs. I bought 2 5" poted artichokes plants in spring. I placed them where they would be protected from cool nights and wind. They have not grown much. The nights are now in the warmer so I stopped covering. The leaves are yellow and dried.
21 May 24, Texas Grown (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I've never tried growing artichokes but I get a lot of wind here too. Even in sheltered spots, the wind can really dry out a plant fast. Use enough mulch and water using soaker or drip under the mulch layer. But check the soil first down to at least an inch before watering. Dry yellow leaves could mean it froze despite the cover. Remove the bad leaves. Maybe it will recover.
29 Aug 23, Bonnie (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What does it mean to plant under cover? Inside, or under a roof, or under one of those plastic covers like a mini-greenhouse? Thank you!
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Out of the sunlight. Google about it.
15 Aug 23, Roz McWilliam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to grow globe artichokes in Townsville (dry tropics). Is this possible please and if yes what’s the best way? Cheers
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - tropical climate)
Set your climate zone to Tropical and read the notes about growing it.
Showing 1 - 10 of 131 comments

I had 2 of 3 over winter last year with no preparation and enjoyed 3 dozen tennis ball sized bulbs. For this year I started 2 dozen more, half green globe and half purple. 18 survived they went into the ground (French Mound beds) in late July. Now I’m wondering should I feed them and/or mulch them and if so, with what?

- John Chrystal

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. Gardenate 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.