How to Grow Artichokes

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Artichoke plants, which can be grown in many climates, produce spiny buds that hide a tender heart. If you're looking for artichoke recipes, you've come to the right place.

Steve Wanke

This artichoke bud is ready to harvest.

Steve Wanke

Unharvested artichoke buds will eventually produce stunning purple thistle-like blooms.

Steve Wanke

Artichoke plants, which can be grown in many climates, produce spiny buds that hide a tender heart. If you're looking for artichoke recipes, you've come to the right place.

Photo: Steve Wanke

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An artichoke plant, which can spread into a silvery green fountain up to 6 feet across, makes a bold, handsome addition to any garden. Best of all, perhaps, this gem of a vegetable can be grown much more easily and in a wider range of climates than you might expect.

I remember having dinner at a friend’s home and seeing an artichoke on my plate for the first time. I wondered how I was going to eat this intriguing vegetable. My friend’s mom showed me how to approach the task. I plucked the leaves, dipped them in melted butter, and tugged the stem end through my teeth to draw off the tender meat. It was child’s play.

The artichoke, Cynara scolymus, can be grown almost everywhere in the United States, except possibly Florida, where the summer is too hot. The ideal growing conditions are cool and moist summers and mild winters.

If you live in a climate colder than Zone 8, your best bet is to start new plants each year. If you have a mild winter and mulch well, the artichokes may survive as perennials. Remember, it’s the artichoke’s roots that need protection.

Using transplants, you can grow artichokes as annuals in cold-winter climates with 90 to 100 frost-free days. I know people who have grown delicious artichokes in Connecticut, Maine, and Massa­chusetts. Artichokes you start indoors in late winter or early spring will be ready to harvest from late summer through early fall.

Gardeners who are lucky enough to have the best growing conditions may be able to harvest artichokes throughout the year. For these people, it would not be unusual to harvest 30 artichokes per year per plant.

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Comments (20)

ldyfrmr writes: I have that most insect problems are caused by a lack of calcium. Soil test so you know. I recommend Midwest Labs and they only charge $25.00 per sample. And I will do your recommendations for free. I have done organics for 40 years. My artichoke is doing wonderful with 20 chokes on it after heavily applying calcium last year!
Posted: 4:45 pm on May 19th

toddandfawn writes: I live in FL, zone 9b, have 5 artichoke plants, and all doing fine. I bought them from Sweetheart Artichokes in CA. They ship them directly to your house!

Sweetheart Artichokes site has A LOT of GREAT growing info. They show you how easy it is to grow with success! Pretty much anywhere too!

For any questions try their site: sweetheartartichokes.com

The girls who owns/runs the place is great too. If you have questions that are not answered on their FAQs [which is unlikely], you can contact them for the answer and they get back to you promptly! I love it!
Posted: 11:29 am on April 22nd

thyme4tea writes: I planted 2 last year; one produced nothing and died over the winter. The other had ONE choke, but survived our mild Kentucky winter. Now I know all the things I did wrong! Better luck this year.
Posted: 11:47 am on April 12th

Jannyflanny writes: I am having a different problem. I live in NW Georgia (Atlanta area) and I planted two artichokes in two separate raised beds ladt spring. The plants have grown huge but have not produced any artichokes. I am about ready to remove the plants but I hate to do that as I am sure I have found the right person to give me help. Plus now I know about dividing the monsters! Thank you for any advice.
Posted: 3:59 pm on April 1st

AzStephani writes: Some one asked this; strawbridge5 writes: "I have pincher bugs infesting our artichokes." Any suggestions? I believe that bug has an exoskeleton, you can use DE to get rid of them. DE is Diatamaeous Earth. There is garden grade or the stuff that is used in swimming pool filters. I use both. I am not 100% sure how to use as a pesticide for plants but I would assume it is similar to extermination needs. I would (will) mix some in the soil and dust the plants with it if necessary. Wear a dust mask when doing this. Completely organic and pet safe. I wonder if it will work for aphids? Since I am growing again, I will purchase Ladybugs and Praying Mantis at the Nursery.
Posted: 4:24 pm on February 18th

AzStephani writes: Another ?, Can the green Globe be cut and cooked as a long stem? I am looking for a plant with an edible stem. How do I know when to cut?
Posted: 4:16 pm on February 18th

AzStephani writes: I live in the hot desert, when do I plant? Can I plant anytime? Do the plants produce again after the choke is harvested? How do I get my answers to these questions?
Posted: 4:15 pm on February 18th

DanielleGardenGirl writes: Hi everyone! These are some really great artichoke questions. I’ve got a few answers to some of the inquiries below:

1. For pest-insect infestations I’m a big fan of organic treatments. My first choice is Neem, a tropical plant extract that is safe and effective. It generally comes in a concentrated spray at any garden center/nursery.

2. If you are in a warm climate where the season is coming to a close, you don’t need to do anything to your plants. Just let them die back naturally and then next spring do some maintenance pruning (remove dead, diseased, or damaged sections of the plant) to refresh.

3. For anyone still waiting for fruit at this point in the season—that is normal if you are living in a cooler locale. Here in CT we usually don’t start harvesting artichokes until late August early September.

4. As for dividing, this article includes excellent step-by-step instructions. If you’re planning on moving your mature plant, I would instead try dividing and transplanting the new shoots. Mature plants don’t relocate well.

5. Last, artichokes like a fairly neutral pH, so do a soil test and adjust accordingly.

Hope these answers help!

Posted: 8:59 am on August 29th

grandmalp11 writes: can i move the plant to another location for next season?
Posted: 1:06 pm on August 26th

deeboyd5010 writes: We have several mature plants that produced well this year in high desert, Arizona. Now that the season is over, what do we do? Cut the plant down to a specific length, just let the leaves die out? What is the best action til they begin to put out new growth again in the fall?
Posted: 5:59 pm on August 6th

jregner writes: We have several mature plants that produced well this year in high desert, Arizona. Now that the season is over, what do we do? Cut the plant down to a specific length, just let the leaves die out? What is the best action til they begin to put out new growth again in the fall?
Posted: 3:42 pm on July 8th

BaldCypress writes: What is the best soil pH for artichokes?
Posted: 3:47 pm on July 3rd

strawbridge5 writes: I have pincher bugs infesting our artichokes. Any suggestions?
Posted: 8:37 pm on June 12th

Livinfast1100 writes: I like the article Kris, well put together. here are answers to a few of the questions people have asked.

1. the small buds opening too soon, you need a little more rabbit fertlizer and water if they are not getting the nourishment from the soil they mature compact. they need growth promoters and water.

2. the aphid problem and you want organic.. lady bugs you can buy at the local nursery... if there are aphids the lady bugs will stay and eat the tasty bugs as their main diet. (some bgs are good bugs) or drape them with some ultra fine mosquito netting.


3. the plants growing abilities and contingent on your watering and fertlizing and the soil conditions..... but they grow fairly vigerous from a 6" plant to a 36" bloomer within a few months and grow larger if you protect them from the cold in the winter. (in utah they are on the south side of my house and over winter fine... i protect them with bales of straw as an additional plant saver.

Posted: 1:41 pm on May 19th

yllawwally writes: How fast do these plants grow? I started with starts from a nursery. It's july and they don't have a center stalk. Is this normal?
Posted: 3:20 pm on July 25th

shantellew writes: To combat aphid infestation you might try planting marigolds in the garden area. Aphids apparently don't like marigolds.
Posted: 8:22 pm on February 25th

rbode writes: I too have issues with small buds opening too soon and questions about how to divide plants. Any help out there?


Posted: 12:39 am on December 7th

Digginginthedirt writes: My artichokes always die from aphid infestation, despite being fertilized, watered well and being planted in great organic soil. I have an organic garden, so chemicals are out of the question. I have tried a horticultural oil in an attempt to combat the aphids, but with no luck. Any suggestions?
Posted: 11:37 am on November 24th

cherrydelo writes: My artichokes start to open when the fruit is still very small. What am I doing wrong?
Posted: 8:51 pm on September 7th

RobEshman writes: I need help dividing my plants, which are 3 or 4 years old. How do I determine exactly where to divide them?
Posted: 3:56 pm on January 4th

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