Helianthus tuberosus

RHS Plant Profile

Jerusalem artichoke

Other common names

Canada potato, earth apple, girasole, sunchoke, Indian potato, pignut

Herbaceous Perennial

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A tall, herbaceous perennial reaching 2.5m tall or more, with coarse hairy foliage and small, yellow sunflower-like flowers in summer. It is cultivated for its knobbly, elongated pale-cream or sometimes purple-tinted tubers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Helianthus can be tall, erect annuals, tuberous or rhizomatous perennials, with coarse simple leaves and large daisy-like flower-heads
Name Status: Unresolved
Plant Range: N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers in spring in a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Plants may need support in exposed positions. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. For more advice follow jerusalem-artichoke cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by separating and replanting tubers

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old stems after flowering as they die down for the winter

Pests

May be susceptible to snails and slugs damage when young

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sclerotinia disease