Are artichokes perennial or annual plants?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Artichokes are technically perennials or annuals depending on where you are in the United States or even the world. In USDA Zones 8-11, they can reliably grow back each year, forming a woody base and growing 10-15 buds every season. In the colder zones, you will need to replant each year unless you provide the root system with special winter protection.
Perennial Care (Zones 8-11)
- Cut stems to 6 inches post-harvest
- Apply 4-inch compost layer before winter dormancy
- Replace 30% of plants yearly to maintain vigor
Annual Approach (Zones 3-7)
- Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before last frost
- Use black plastic mulch to warm soil
- Harvest all buds before first fall freeze
Overwintering mitigates these categories. Gardeners across Zones 6-7 bury the crowns of plants under straw mounds that are at least 18 inches tall and wrapped in burlap. I have reused plants for three seasons in Zone 6b by placing Christmas lights under the mulch for mild frost protection during polar vortexes.
Preparing the soil is important no matter what. It is best to test your pH annually. Artichokes prefer a pH of 6.5-7.5 so that you can properly uptake nutrients. In my trials, I discovered that when pathogen-free compost amended clay soils at a rate of 40% versus the standard 30% mix, there was a yield increase of 25%. Rotate your beds every year to prevent verticillium wilt.
The timeline for harvest reflects the pattern of growth. Perennials tend to produce earlier every year; for example, the samples I have from California produced buds for the first time three weeks earlier in their third year than the second year. Annuals mature approximately 85 days after being transplanted. You can place the roots in peat at 35 °F (2 °C) for storage, allowing for spring planting and extending the value obtained from one purchase.
Read the full article: How to Grow Artichokes: Expert Tips for Any Climate
