Jerusalem Artichoke Plant Care

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Helianthus genus. Jerusalem Artichoke is native to North America. Jerusalem Artichoke is also known as Sunchoke, Topinambur, Girasol.

Jerusalem Artichoke displays an upright, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Jerusalem Artichoke produces large, yellow, daisy-like flower heads.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Jerusalem Artichoke every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Jerusalem Artichoke thrives in full sun.

Helianthus tuberosus tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Jerusalem Artichoke prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Jerusalem Artichoke to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Jerusalem Artichoke every 2 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Jerusalem Artichoke is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Jerusalem Artichoke can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Jerusalem Artichoke while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Jerusalem Artichoke is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Jerusalem Artichoke can be propagated through by division or from tubers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to proceedings of the biological society of washington plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Jerusalem Artichoke is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Jerusalem Artichoke grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Jerusalem Artichoke is native to North America.