How to Grow Jerusalem Artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
When to Start
Plant directly outdoors once soil temperature reaches 5°C. No seed starting needed — grow from bulbs, tubers, or sets.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Jerusalem artichokes are light feeders. Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Additional feeding is rarely needed on fertile ground.
- Jerusalem artichokes are vigorous and can be invasive — any tubers left in the soil will regrow. Plant where you can control the spread, or harvest thoroughly every year. Tubers improve in flavour after a frost.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Jerusalem Artichoke based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Direct sow
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 75 cm |
| Sow depth | 10 cm |
| Mature height | 250 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Jerusalem artichokes are light feeders. Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Additional feeding is rarely needed on fertile ground.
- Watch for
-
- Slugs and snails on young shoots
- Sclerotinia stem rot
- Powdery mildew in late summer
- Aphids
Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes and slime trails on young shoots and emerging tubers in spring.
- Apply wool pellets or crushed eggshells as a barrier around emerging plants.
- Set out beer traps at soil level to catch slugs overnight.
- Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets (safe around wildlife and pets).
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on shoot tips and undersides of leaves, often with sticky honeydew residue.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water.
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings by planting companion flowers nearby.
- Spray with an insecticidal soap solution, covering undersides of leaves.
Pest Cutworms
Identification: Newly emerged shoots cut through at soil level; pale grey-brown caterpillars found in the top few centimetres of soil when investigated.
- Dig over the soil before planting to expose and remove larvae.
- Apply a biological nematode drench (Steinernema carpocapsae) to moist soil.
- No specific chemical treatment is commonly available for cutworms in UK home gardens; focus on cultural controls.
Disease Sclerotinia Stem Rot Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Symptoms: White fluffy mould at the base of stems, which then collapse and rot. Hard black fungal bodies (sclerotia) visible inside affected stems.
Treatment: Remove and destroy all infected plant material — do not compost. There is no effective chemical treatment for home gardeners.
Prevention: Avoid planting in waterlogged conditions. Rotate crops and do not plant in affected soil for at least 4 years.
Disease Powdery Mildew Golovinomyces cichoracearum
Symptoms: White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, typically appearing in late summer. Affected leaves may yellow and drop early.
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves. Apply a spray of diluted potassium bicarbonate or a plant-based fungicide.
Prevention: Water at the base rather than overhead. Ensure adequate spacing for airflow between plants.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 7–15°C |
| Base growth temperature | 6°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | short day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Jerusalem Artichoke?
- Plant Jerusalem Artichoke 30cm apart with 75cm between rows.
- Is Jerusalem Artichoke frost hardy?
- Jerusalem Artichoke is classified as Hardy.
Plan Jerusalem Artichoke in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free