🥕 Artichoke (Globe)
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
vegetables Perennial
A
☀️ Sun
Full sun
💧 Water
Regular, consistent moisture; mulch to retain moisture
🗺️ Zones
7–11 (grow as annual in colder zones)
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, deep loam with good organic matter
🧪 Soil pH
6.5–7.5
💧 Drainage
Well-draining
📏 Spacing
3–5 ft
📐 Height
3–6 ft
📅 Days to Maturity
150–365 (perennial, best harvest in year 2+)
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Immature flower buds🍽️ tender inner leaves🍽️ heart
🤝 Companions (8)
🤝 Peas
Nitrogen fixer, compatible growing season
Attracts pollinators
Enhances growth and flavor
🤝 Marigold
Pest deterrent
Shallow roots, compatible understory
Attracts beneficial insects
Pest deterrent
Attracts pollinators
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains cynarin for liver support and bile production; prebiotic inulin for gut health; high in antioxidants, fiber, folate.
📜 History & Traditional Uses
Cultivated since ancient Greece and Rome; considered a delicacy and aphrodisiac; introduced to America by French and Italian immigrants.
📝 Notes
Large perennial thistle; requires vernalization for bud production; heavy feeder; replace plants every 4–5 years for best production; stunning ornamental flowers if left to bloom.