Growing Jerusalem Artichokes, also Sunchoke

Helianthus tuberosus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Jerusalem Artichokes in Australia - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • 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
  • Jerusalem Artichoke/Sunchoke
  • Artichoke harvest

These are the edible root of a sunflower. Plant the tubers deep enough to cover with soil. They are quite drought-tolerant, but keep well-watered to grow larger tubers. They grow through the summer to 1.5 m tall sunflowers with a smallish flower. Dig up the tubers when the flowers die down in autumn.

Get a couple of tubers from the supermarket or fruit shop. Two years after planting you will probably have enough to give away. Perennial, if you don't manage to harvest all the tubers they will regrow year after year.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Jerusalem Artichokes

Scrape clean or peel (add a tsp of lemon or vinegar to the water to stop the tubers browning). Steam, boil, or use in artichoke soup (make with artichokes and some stock). Caution - because they contain 'resistent starch' Jerusalem Artichokes are a great promoter of flatulence in some individuals.

Your comments and tips

03 May 24, Carl (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Cairns in tropical far north Queensland. I'd like to attempt to grow jeruslalem artichokes in a raised vegetable patch.It is the autumn/ winter season now. Is it possible ?
08 Sep 23, Betsy Teo (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I buy the jeruselem artichokes in Victoria Market.
14 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Melbourne markets yes
17 Aug 23, Jamie (Australia - temperate climate)
It took a while but I have learned to love Sunchokes. Undoubtedly the easiest and most prolific vegetable of them all. But what to do with them ? Boil them, roast them, grate them into salads, slice them into stir fry. I use them mainly as a filler. They thicken soups and stews and I mash them up with my spuds. Very economical. they don’t have a long shelf life (which is why they are ridiculously expensive) so I tend to leave them in the ground until I use them. If you have a lot of sunchokes - and you will - you can be brutal when you peel them. But keep the peelings out of the compost or you’ll end up with sunchokes everywhere ! Warning : They can be ‘noisy’. Not recommended for date night or before attending the cinema.
26 Jun 23, Neil Baldock (Australia - temperate climate)
Wood Love to buy a few to plant in my garden in Mannum South Australia
01 Jul 23, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
you can plant the ones you buy at a supermarket or markets
29 Jun 23, (Australia - temperate climate)
Buy from an online gardening site.
01 Apr 23, George Antoon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi everyone Sunchoke is planted in April (Sydney) harvested in April. I’m pleased to give you some to plant but in April 2024.
28 Jun 23, Neil Baldock (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi thank you so much did grow some in Melbourne but now live in Mannum South Australia on the River Murray
12 Jun 22, Danielle SULLIVAN (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I’m holidaying in Tasmania and have seen some artichoke for sale can I take them back to queensland on the plane?
Showing 1 - 10 of 169 comments

Where can I get Jerusalem Artichokes in WA? I live on the edge of the desert and don't get to Perth very often. I have only seen them once in WA. I bought those and they grew well. We had a few meals out of the pot I grew them in, but unfortunately my wife threw away the ones I was keeping for the next year's crop. I have found suppliers in the eastern states but they can't supply to WA because of the quarantine restrictions.

- Warren

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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.
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