How do I keep it from spreading?

Plant it in a contained area or harvest all tubers annually to prevent regrowth.

When should I harvest the tubers?

Wait until after the first hard frost for the best flavor.

Plant guide

Jerusalem artichoke.

Helianthus tuberosus

Pronounced hee-lee-AN-thus too-ber-OH-sus

Also known as Earth apple, Girasole, Jerusalem Artichoke, Canada Potato, Jerusalem Artichoke, Jerusalem-artichoke

The Jerusalem artichoke is a hardy perennial sunflower known for its edible, knobby tubers. It grows quite tall and produces cheerful yellow flowers in late summer. You will love how easy it is to grow in your garden.

Another photo of Jerusalem artichoke — Photo by Flora_DUMO (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial vegetable
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 7 days
Mature size: 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to mid autumn

Care

Plant these in a sunny spot with well draining soil to keep them happy. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid weather. Since they spread quickly, you might want to contain them in a specific area.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the active growing period.
Pruning: Cut the stalks back to the ground after the first frost in autumn.
Repotting: If growing in containers, move them to a larger pot every year or two to accommodate tuber growth.
Soil: Well draining, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth
Soil drying out too quickly

Safety

People: The plant is not toxic to humans.
Children: No specific risks, though the tall, heavy stalks can be unstable if climbed by small children.
Contact allergens: Handling the rough, hairy stems may cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms in sensitive individuals during late summer.
Edibility: Tubers should be washed thoroughly to remove soil and can cause gas in some individuals.

How to identify it

Tall, rough, hairy stems
Yellow daisy like flower heads
Large, ovate, alternate leaves
Edible knobby underground tubers

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: brown, Late autumn to early winter

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, tuber cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut the dead stalks to the ground after the first frost. Leave the tubers in the ground for harvest as needed, or dig them up and store in a cool, dark place.
In containers: It is generally too large and aggressive for most containers, but can grow in a very large, deep tub.

Tuber Division

1. Dig up the clump of tubers in early spring.
2. Separate the tubers, ensuring each piece has at least one eye.
3. Replant the pieces 10 to 15 centimeters deep in well drained soil.

Give this plant plenty of space as it will quickly outcompete smaller neighbors.

Grows well with

Corn — They share similar height and light requirements.
Beans — Beans can climb the sturdy stalks of the sunflower.

Keep away from

Potatoes — Both are aggressive tuber producers that compete for soil space.

Similar species

Common Sunflower — Shares the same genus and general flower appearance.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helianthus
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and eastern North America.
Conservation: It is considered invasive in some regions outside its native range due to its aggressive spread.

It thrives in open, sunny areas and spreads rapidly through an extensive underground rhizome system.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary tubers, ornamental screen, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I keep it from spreading?: Plant it in a contained area or harvest all tubers annually to prevent regrowth.
When should I harvest the tubers?: Wait until after the first hard frost for the best flavor.

Where the name comes from

The name Helianthus comes from the Greek words for sun and flower, while tuberosus refers to the edible tubers.

Good to know

Despite the name, it is not from Jerusalem and is not a true artichoke.
The name comes from a corruption of the Italian word for sunflower, girasole.
Tubers were a staple food for many indigenous peoples in North America.
It is a member of the daisy family.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.