- Botanical name: Helianthus tuberosus
- Common name: Jerusalem artichoke
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
The Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, is a perennial sunflower native to North America, grown for its knobbly, white- or red-fleshed tubers, which can be eaten raw or cooked. Better suited to cooler regions, it’s well suited to the British climate. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, Helianthus tuberosus is a popular choice for difficult areas of the garden or allotment, and if planted en masse, it makes an excellent windbreak. In late summer, pretty yellow sunflower-like flowers are produced.
Grow Helianthus tuberosus in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Harvest the tubers in autumn, leaving some in the ground to grow the following year.
How to grow Helianthus tuberosus
-
Plant size
3m height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do not Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Helianthus tuberosus and wildlife
Helianthus tuberosus is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Helianthus tuberosus poisonous?
Helianthus tuberosus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
