$10.25–$17.00
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trefle.io · Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Asteraceae
Jerusalem-artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
Also known as earth apple, topinambur, sunchoke, Helianthus strumosus subsp. tomentosus
Zones 3–10Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Edibles & Herbs · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Jerusalem Artichoke · Sunchoke · Helianthus · Edible Tuber · Pollinator Plant · Perennial Vegetable · Sunflower Family · Fall Harvest · Spreading · Cottage Garden
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyCulinaryAttracts pollinators
In stock at 2 nurseriesStock updated 9/6/2026
Jerusalem artichoke is a vigorous, fast-growing perennial grown primarily for its edible tubers, which are harvested in autumn. Plant in a sunny to partly shaded spot with fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly during the growing season. Be mindful of its spreading habit — it can become difficult to contain, so consider planting in a raised bed or using root barriers.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to encourage tuber development, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged · Every 5-7 days during active growth
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 4–7
- Temperature
- -40°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 3a-10b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Albania, Amur, Argentina Northeast, Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colorado, Connecticut, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District Of Columbia, East European Russia
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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Buy this plant
2 nurseries carry it
$7.50–$17.75
In stockIn stock1