More Information
| Botanical Name |
Helianthus tuberosus |
| Growing Height |
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Plant Spacing |
12-15 in. (30-38 cm) |
| When to Plant |
Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid-Spring |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 3a: to -35F, USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Color |
Bright Yellow |
| Bloom Time |
Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Fall |
| Foliage |
Velvet/Fuzzy-Textured |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Propagation Methods |
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets), From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel, From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed |
The Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also known as Sunchoke, Sunroot, or Earth Apple, is a hardy, perennial root vegetable native to eastern North America. A member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), this plant produces elongated, knobby tubers with a crisp, crunchy texture similar to ginger root. Despite its name, it is not related to artichokes but has been cultivated for thousands of years, originally by Native Americans as a reliable food source. Early European colonists later introduced it to Europe, where it became a staple crop before falling into relative obscurity in North America. However, thanks to renewed interest in heirloom and sustainable crops, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity since the late 1990s.
Sunchokes have a mild, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor with nutty undertones, often compared to a cross between a potato, water chestnut, and artichoke.
