$4.50–$18.75
In stockIn stock1
trefle.io · Taken Sep 2, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Asteraceae
Spanish artichoke
Cynara cardunculus
Also known as Artichoke thistle, Carduus cardunculus, Cynara scolymus subsp. cardunculus, Wild artichoke
Zones 4–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Moderate
Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Artichoke · Cardoon · Edible · Perennial · Mediterranean · Architectural · Thistle · Ornamental · Vegetable · Asteraceae
CulinaryMedicinalAttracts pollinators
In stock at 1 nurseryStock updated 9/6/2026
Spanish artichoke (cardoon) is a bold, architectural perennial that thrives in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. It appreciates deep, regular watering during the growing season and benefits from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Cut back dead foliage in late autumn and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to encourage deep root growth, allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7.5–8
- Temperature
- -30°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4a-9b
12345678910111213
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 48 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, California, Canary Is., Colombia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
Buy this plant
1 nursery carries it