Growing sunchokes is an easy way to add a productive perennial food crop to your homestead garden. Also known as Jerusalem artichokes, sunchokes produce tall sunflower-like plants above ground and clusters of edible tubers beneath the soil.
Once established, sunchokes can return year after year with surprisingly little attention. They’re vigorous plants, tolerate less-than-perfect conditions, and can produce a substantial harvest from a relatively small planting.
There is one thing every gardener should know before planting them, though: sunchokes can spread.
Even a small piece of tuber left behind after harvest can grow into another plant the following season. That’s wonderful if you’re trying to establish a permanent sunchoke patch, but it can become frustrating if you plant them in the middle of a carefully organized vegetable garden.
In this complete growing sunchokes guide, we’ll cover:
- What sunchokes are
- When and where to plant them
- How to plant sunchoke tubers
- Growing sunchokes in Texas
- Sunlight and soil requirements
- Watering and fertilizing
- Controlling their spread
- Growing sunchokes in raised beds and containers
- Common pests and diseases
- When and how to harvest sunchokes
- Storing harvested tubers
- Saving tubers for next year’s garden
- Frequently asked questions
What Are Sunchokes?
Table of Contents
Sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are perennial plants native to North America. They’re members of the sunflower family and are commonly called Jerusalem artichokes, although they aren’t from Jerusalem and aren’t closely related to globe artichokes.
The plants produce tall stems topped with cheerful yellow flowers resembling small sunflowers.
But the real harvest is underground.
Sunchokes develop knobby edible tubers that resemble ginger roots or unusually shaped potatoes.
Depending on the variety and growing conditions, plants can reach roughly 6 to 10 feet tall, sometimes becoming even taller.
That makes sunchokes useful for more than producing food. A thick planting can also create a seasonal privacy screen or living garden backdrop.
Why Start Growing Sunchokes?
There are several reasons sunchokes deserve consideration in a homestead garden.
They’re Perennials
Unlike potatoes, corn, beans and many traditional garden vegetables, growing sunchokes can return year after year.
Leave a few tubers underground and they’ll generally produce another crop.
They Can Produce Heavily
Healthy plants can develop numerous tubers beneath the soil.
A relatively small patch can eventually become extremely productive.
They’re Relatively Low Maintenance
Once established, sunchokes don’t require the constant attention some garden crops need.
They Produce Edible Tubers
The underground tubers have a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
They Produce Attractive Flowers
Sunchokes are closely related to sunflowers, and their yellow flowers can make an attractive addition to a homestead garden.
They Can Create a Seasonal Privacy Screen
Their height makes sunchokes particularly interesting around:
- Garden borders
- Fences
- Utility areas
- Compost areas
- Chicken yards
- Property boundaries
Just remember that the plants die back during winter, so the privacy screen is seasonal.
Growing Sunchokes in Texas
Growing Sunchokes can be an interesting perennial crop for Texas gardeners.
In East Texas, one of the biggest advantages is that the plants can take advantage of a long growing season. However, Texas gardeners also have to consider summer heat and periods of dry weather.
Choose a location receiving plenty of sunlight and give newly planted sunchokes consistent moisture while they establish.
Once the plants develop substantial root systems, they’re generally much more forgiving.
A layer of organic mulch can be especially useful during hot Texas summers because it helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
For a permanent homestead planting, I’d strongly consider giving sunchokes their own dedicated growing area rather than planting them between annual vegetables.
When Growing Sunchokes and Planting
Sunchoke tubers are commonly planted in late winter or early spring, around the time the soil can be worked.
They can tolerate cool conditions and don’t need the warm soil temperatures required by crops such as okra or melons.
In a mild climate, tubers may also be planted later in the year, but spring planting gives them plenty of time to establish and produce a good crop before winter.
Choosing Sunchoke Tubers for Planting
Sunchokes are normally grown from tubers rather than seed.
The process is very similar to planting potatoes.
Choose healthy tubers that are:
- Firm
- Free from rot
- Free from mold
- Not badly shriveled
- Showing healthy buds or “eyes”
You can plant smaller tubers whole.
Larger tubers can sometimes be divided into pieces as long as each piece contains viable growing points.
Where Should You Plant Sunchokes?
Location is probably the most important decision you’ll make when growing sunchokes.
Once established, they can be difficult to completely remove.
A few missed tubers can turn into new plants the following year.
Consider locations such as:
- A dedicated perennial vegetable bed
- Along a fence
- The back edge of a garden
- A contained raised bed
- A large container
- An area where spreading won’t cause problems
Avoid planting sunchokes where their height will shade vegetables that require full sun.
How Much Sun Do Sunchokes Need?
Sunchokes grow best in full sun.
Aim for at least:
6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
More sunlight generally encourages vigorous plants and good tuber production.
Their height also needs to be considered.
A 7-foot sunchoke plant placed on the wrong side of a vegetable garden can cast considerable shade.
Plant them where the mature plants won’t block sunlight from tomatoes, peppers and other sun-loving crops.
Best Soil for Growing Sunchokes
One reason sunchokes are popular with homesteaders is their adaptability.
They can grow in several soil types, but loose, fertile and well-drained soil makes harvesting much easier.
Extremely compacted clay can cause oddly shaped tubers and make digging difficult.
Before planting, consider working organic matter into heavy soil.
Good additions include:
- Finished compost
- Aged manure
- Decomposed leaves
- Other well-rotted organic material
Avoid creating soggy conditions.
Like most underground crops, sunchoke tubers don’t appreciate sitting in constantly waterlogged soil.
How to Plant Sunchokes
Planting sunchokes is straightforward.
Step 1: Prepare the Growing Area
Remove weeds and loosen the soil.
Working several inches of compost into poor soil can improve its structure.
Step 2: Dig Planting Holes or a Trench
Plant tubers approximately 3 to 5 inches deep.
Step 3: Space the Tubers
Allow roughly 12 to 18 inches between plants.
If you’re creating multiple rows, leave enough room between them to walk, weed and eventually harvest.
Step 4: Cover the Tubers
Cover with loose soil and gently firm the surface.
Step 5: Water
Water thoroughly after planting.
Keep the soil reasonably moist while the plants become established.
How Long Do Sunchokes Take to Grow?
Sunchokes aren’t a quick crop like radishes.
They’re generally grown through the spring and summer before the tubers are harvested in fall or winter.
During summer, much of the visible energy goes into producing tall stems and leaves.
Underground, the plant eventually begins developing the tubers you’ll harvest.
Patience pays off.
Watering Sunchokes
Established sunchokes are relatively tough, but adequate moisture helps produce better growth and tubers.
Water deeply rather than giving the plants frequent shallow watering.
During prolonged Texas heat and drought, watch for plants that begin wilting excessively.
Mulching around the plants can help.
A 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch can:
- Conserve moisture
- Moderate soil temperature
- Suppress weeds
- Add organic matter as it decomposes
Keep thick mulch slightly away from the main stems.
Fertilizing Sunchokes
Sunchokes don’t normally require excessive fertilizer.
In reasonably fertile garden soil, incorporating compost before planting may be sufficient.
Be careful with high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Too much nitrogen can encourage enormous leafy plants without necessarily giving you the underground harvest you’re trying to produce.
If your soil is poor, a soil test is the best way to determine what nutrients are actually needed.
How Tall Do Sunchokes Grow?
Don’t underestimate these plants.
Sunchokes commonly reach 6 to 10 feet tall under good conditions.
Their height can be an advantage or disadvantage.
Use tall plants intentionally as a:
- Garden backdrop
- Seasonal privacy screen
- Fence-line crop
- Wind-buffering planting
In exposed locations, tall stems may benefit from support because storms and strong winds can knock them over.
Do Sunchokes Need a Trellis?
Usually, no.
Sunchokes have strong upright stems and normally support themselves.
However, plants growing in very fertile soil can become extremely tall.
If your garden receives strong winds, stakes, fencing or another simple support can help keep the plants upright.
Should You Prune Sunchokes?
Heavy pruning generally isn’t necessary.
If plants become extremely tall and troublesome, they can be managed, but remember that the leaves are producing energy for the plant.
Removing too much healthy growth can affect tuber production.
If your goal is a large underground harvest, allow the plants to grow naturally whenever possible.
Sunchoke Flowers
Later in the growing season, sunchokes can produce attractive yellow flowers.
They look like smaller versions of traditional sunflowers.
The flowers add ornamental value to what would otherwise be primarily considered a food crop.
They can also make a tall sunchoke patch look surprisingly attractive along a homestead fence.
Growing Sunchokes in Raised Beds
A raised bed can be one of the better ways to grow sunchokes because it provides some control over their spreading habit.
The loose soil also makes harvesting easier.
However, remember that the plants become tall.
Place the raised bed somewhere that the mature plants won’t shade the rest of your garden.
When harvesting, carefully search through the soil for remaining tubers.
Even a small overlooked tuber can become next year’s plant.
Growing Sunchokes in Containers
Gardeners worried about spreading can experiment with large containers.
Choose a substantial container because sunchokes need room for both roots and tubers.
The container should have excellent drainage.
Keep in mind that a 6- to 10-foot plant growing from a container can become top-heavy.
Use a wide, stable container and position it where wind won’t easily topple it.
Container-grown plants will also require more frequent watering than those growing directly in the ground.
How to Keep Sunchokes From Taking Over the Garden
This deserves its own section.
Sunchokes can spread aggressively because harvesting every tuber is difficult.
Any tuber left underground can potentially produce another plant.
The simplest solution is prevention.
Don’t plant sunchokes somewhere you don’t want them permanently.
Good containment strategies include:
- Dedicated beds
- Large containers
- Raised beds
- Regular harvesting
- Removing unwanted shoots
- Carefully digging remaining tubers
Think of your first sunchoke planting as choosing a permanent location rather than simply planting another annual vegetable.
Growing Sunchokes Along a Fence
A fence line can be an excellent location.
Their height provides a natural backdrop while keeping them away from your main annual garden.
Just remember that underground tubers can gradually spread beyond the original planting area.
Leave yourself enough room to mow, dig or otherwise manage unwanted shoots.
Can Sunchokes Be Used as a Privacy Screen?
Yes, during the growing season.
A dense row can become several feet tall and provide substantial visual screening.
This can be useful for hiding:
- Compost piles
- Garden equipment
- Utility areas
- Chicken runs
- Storage areas
They’re not an evergreen privacy screen, though.
The stems eventually die back after the growing season.
Companion Plants for Sunchokes
Because sunchokes grow so tall and spread underground, companion planting requires more planning than it does with smaller herbs.
Rather than squeezing vegetables directly around them, use the sunchokes as the background layer of the garden.
Low-growing plants can potentially benefit from afternoon shade in extremely hot climates, but vegetables requiring full sun shouldn’t be placed where they’ll be heavily shaded.
The biggest concern isn’t necessarily plant incompatibility.
It’s space.
Give sunchokes room.
Sunchoke Pests
Sunchokes are generally resilient, but no garden plant is completely pest-free.
Potential problems can include insects feeding on leaves and soil-dwelling pests damaging tubers.
Healthy plants can usually tolerate a certain amount of leaf damage without intervention.
Regularly inspect the plants and avoid automatically spraying pesticides whenever you see an insect.
A diverse garden containing flowers and beneficial insects can help create a more balanced environment.
Diseases Affecting Sunchokes
Good garden practices help prevent many problems.
Provide:
- Adequate plant spacing
- Good airflow
- Well-drained soil
- Appropriate watering
Avoid constantly soaking the foliage late in the day when possible.
Most importantly, avoid waterlogged soil around the tubers.
When to Harvest Sunchokes
One unusual thing about growing sunchokes is that waiting can improve your harvest.
Tubers are generally harvested after the foliage begins dying back in fall, often after frost.
Rather than harvesting the moment you notice tubers forming, allow the plants to complete their growing cycle.
Once the tops die back, cut the stems down and begin digging.
How to Harvest Sunchokes
Harvesting is similar to digging potatoes.
Step 1: Cut Back Dead Stems
Once the plants have finished for the season, cut the dead stalks down.
Step 2: Start Away From the Plant
Begin digging some distance from the center because tubers can spread outward.
Step 3: Loosen the Soil
Use a garden fork or shovel carefully.
Step 4: Search Through the Soil
Tubers can hide surprisingly well.
If you’re trying to control the patch, remove as many as possible.
If you want the plants to return next year, leave several healthy tubers underground.
Harvest Sunchokes as You Need Them
Sunchokes can be difficult to store for long periods because their thin skins allow them to lose moisture relatively quickly.
Where winters permit, leaving some tubers in the ground and digging them as needed can be an effective storage strategy.
Mark the growing area before all the foliage disappears so you remember exactly where to dig.
How to Store Sunchokes
After harvesting, handle the tubers carefully.
Don’t aggressively scrub them before storage.
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For short-term storage, place them in the refrigerator where humidity can help prevent shriveling.
Unlike potatoes, sunchokes aren’t famous for months of easy room-temperature storage.
That’s another reason harvesting them gradually can work well.
Saving Sunchoke Tubers for Replanting
Saving planting stock couldn’t be much easier.
Choose healthy tubers from productive plants.
Either:
- Leave selected tubers in the garden, or
- Store healthy tubers under cool conditions until planting time.
Because missed tubers readily regrow, many established patches effectively replant themselves.
Can You Leave Sunchokes in the Ground Over Winter?
In many areas, yes.
The underground tubers tolerate considerably colder conditions than the summer foliage.
Leaving tubers in the ground also helps prevent them from drying out during storage.
Gardeners in mild winter climates may be able to harvest fresh tubers periodically throughout the cooler months.
What Do Sunchokes Taste Like?
Sunchokes have a mildly sweet, nutty and somewhat earthy flavor.
Their texture depends heavily on preparation.
They can be:
- Roasted
- Sautéed
- Boiled
- Mashed
- Added to soups
- Added to stews
- Thinly sliced
- Eaten raw
Roasting is one of the easiest ways to prepare them.
An Important Note About Eating Sunchokes
Sunchokes contain a carbohydrate called inulin.
Some people can experience digestive gas or discomfort after eating a large serving, especially if they aren’t accustomed to foods high in inulin.
If you’ve never eaten sunchokes before, starting with a modest serving is sensible.
Your enormous first harvest doesn’t have to become dinner all at once!
Growing Sunchokes vs. Potatoes
Although both crops produce underground tubers, they’re very different plants.
Potatoes are generally planted and harvested as an annual crop.
Sunchokes are vigorous perennials capable of returning from tubers remaining underground.
Sunchokes also produce very tall sunflower-like growth, while potatoes remain comparatively short.
For homesteaders interested in perennial food production, that difference makes sunchokes particularly interesting.
Growing Sunchokes vs. Jerusalem Artichokes
There is no difference.
Sunchoke and Jerusalem artichoke are common names for Helianthus tuberosus.
Neither name should be confused with the globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), which is a completely different plant.
Are Sunchokes Worth Growing on a Homestead?
For the right property, absolutely.
Sunchokes combine several traits homesteaders tend to appreciate:
- Perennial growth
- Edible harvests
- Vigorous plants
- Attractive flowers
- Relatively simple care
- Potential seasonal screening
- Easy propagation
Their biggest strength can also become their biggest weakness.
They’re very good at surviving.
Plant sunchokes somewhere you can allow them to remain for years, and that persistence becomes an advantage rather than a problem.
FAQ About Growing Sunchokes
Are sunchokes easy to grow?
Yes. They’re vigorous perennial plants and are generally considered relatively easy to establish.
Do sunchokes come back every year?
They can. Tubers remaining underground can sprout and produce new plants the following growing season.
How deep should I plant sunchokes?
Plant tubers approximately 3 to 5 inches deep.
How far apart should sunchokes be planted?
Spacing them roughly 12 to 18 inches apart gives individual plants room to develop.
Do sunchokes need full sun?
Full sun is best. Aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
How tall do Jerusalem artichokes grow?
Plants commonly reach around 6 to 10 feet tall under favorable conditions.
Can I grow sunchokes in Texas?
Yes. They can be grown in Texas, although adequate moisture during establishment and prolonged hot, dry periods is important.
Can sunchokes grow in raised beds?
Yes. Raised beds can make harvesting easier and provide better control over spreading tubers.
Can sunchokes be grown in containers?
Yes, but use a large, stable container with excellent drainage.
When should I harvest sunchokes?
Wait until fall when the foliage begins dying back. Harvesting after frost is common.
Can I leave sunchokes underground?
Yes. Leaving some tubers underground allows the crop to return and can also provide a convenient way to store them until needed.
Why are my sunchokes spreading?
The plants reproduce from underground tubers. Small tubers or pieces left in the soil can develop into new plants.
Are sunchokes invasive?
They’re aggressive spreaders in a garden and can become difficult to eliminate once established. Whether they’re officially classified as invasive depends on location, but gardeners should treat them as a plant that needs thoughtful placement and management.
🌱 Keep Growing Your Homestead Garden
If you enjoyed learning about growing sunchokes, there are plenty more unique and useful plants you can add to your garden. Learn about growing gourds, discover how easy it is to grow an oregano plant, or add fresh flavor to your herb garden with our guide to growing basil. You might also enjoy exploring 20 fig tree varieties for Texas as you build a more productive and diverse homestead garden.
Final Thoughts on Growing Sunchokes
Growing sunchokes can provide a homestead with an unusual perennial food crop that doesn’t need to be replanted from scratch every season.
Give them sunshine, reasonably well-drained soil and adequate moisture while they’re establishing, and the plants can reward you with towering summer growth followed by an underground harvest of edible tubers.
The most important decision happens before the first tuber goes into the ground.
Choose the location carefully.
Plant sunchokes in a dedicated area where their ability to spread won’t become a problem. Along a fence, in a permanent perennial garden, or in a controlled raised bed can make far more sense than placing them among annual vegetables.
With a little planning, that aggressive growth becomes one of their best qualities. Instead of buying new planting stock every spring, you can leave a few tubers behind and allow next year’s crop to begin all over again.
For homesteaders interested in perennial foods, unusual vegetables and crops that provide a lot of production without constant replanting, sunchokes are certainly worth trying.
