How to Grow Artichokes (Even in Hot Climates)
Are you thinking about adding more perennials to your garden? If you live in a warm climate (zones 8–11), learning how to grow artichokes is one of the best choices you can make. These striking, thistle-like plants return year after year and reward you with tender, delicious flower buds each spring.
At first glance, an artichoke may seem intimidating to grow or eat—but once you understand how they grow, they’re surprisingly simple. Whether you garden in the desert Southwest or a cooler climate, this guide covers everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting globe artichokes successfully.
What we’ll cover:
What Is an Artichoke Plant?
The artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a perennial vegetable native to the Mediterranean. The edible part we know and love is actually the unopened flower bud of the plant. If left unharvested, it opens into a large, striking purple bloom that attracts pollinators and looks beautiful in the garden.
Helpful Vocabulary for Artichokes
- Bud or Head: Contains the heart and is topped by fuzzy flowers.
- Choke: The fuzzy center of the head; edible only when very young.
- Bract: The green scales that protect the tender inner part of the bud (often mistaken for leaves).
- Heart: The tender, edible base of the artichoke bud.
- Stalk: The stem; edible when young. Leave 2–3 inches attached when harvesting.
How to Grow Artichokes — 5 Tips for Success
1. Understand the Artichoke Life Cycle
Artichokes are grown as perennials in warm climates and as annuals in cooler ones. During their first year, artichoke plants focus on producing large, silvery leaves and may form a few small buds. In the second year and beyond, the plants mature and produce abundant flower buds each spring.
If you garden in zones 8–11, artichoke plants can live for 4 to 5 years. After flowering, cut the plant back to the ground and cover it with a few inches of compost or mulch. The plant will regrow as temperatures cool again.
Each plant produces side shoots (also called “offsets”). These can be divided and replanted to start new plants. Carefully dig them up in late winter or early spring when they are under 10 inches tall, and transplant them into prepared soil.
Arizona Tip: In hot, low-desert gardens, cut artichoke plants back after they finish blooming and mulch deeply. A vining crop such as sweet potatoes, Malabar spinach, or Armenian cucumbers can sprawl over the crowns during summer to help shade and cool the roots.
2. Choose the Right Variety and Planting Time
When learning how to grow artichokes, choosing the right variety for your climate is key.
Best Artichoke Varieties
- Warm climates (zones 8–11): ‘Green Globe’, ‘Purple Italian Globe’, and ‘Desert Globe’.
- Cool climates (zones 6–7): ‘Imperial Star’ — bred to produce in a single season as an annual.
Planting Dates for the Low Desert of Arizona
- Start seeds indoors: August – December
- Plant seeds outdoors: October – December
- Plant transplants outdoors: October – February
Artichoke plants grow steadily through the cool months and take off in spring, producing buds in April or May. For gardeners in cooler zones, start seeds indoors in late winter or early spring and transplant after the danger of frost has passed.
Need help getting started with seeds?
Read: How to Start Seeds Indoors: 10 Steps for Success
3. Give Artichokes Room to Grow
Artichoke plants are large and dramatic. Give them space to spread. Plant starts about 4 feet (1.2 m) apart in well-draining, compost-rich soil. Mature globe artichokes can grow 3–4 feet tall and wide.
Artichokes grown as annuals can be spaced slightly closer, around 3 feet apart. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade; in cooler regions, full sun encourages vigorous growth and bud formation.
Artichokes prefer soil with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil that leads to root rot. Raised beds work well—just be sure they are deep enough for strong roots.
Related: Best Soil for Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening
4. Keep Plants Well-Fed and Consistently Watered
Good artichoke plant care starts with regular watering and feeding. Artichokes have deep roots and large leaves that require steady moisture, especially as buds develop.
- Water deeply and evenly throughout the growing season.
- Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Feed monthly with an organic fertilizer.
- Add compost to the soil before planting and each year to keep it rich and fertile.
Related: How to Water Your Garden
Tip: Deep watering encourages a strong root system and larger, more flavorful buds.
5. Harvest Artichokes at the Right Time
Wondering when to harvest artichokes? The best time is when the buds are still tight and firm, with scales beginning to loosen slightly at the base. Buds are typically ready when they reach about 3 inches (7.5 cm) across.
Cut the stem 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) below the bud using a sharp knife or pruners. Harvest large center buds first—side shoots will continue to develop and can be picked later.
Store harvested buds unwashed in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If buds open before harvest, they become tough and fibrous but produce beautiful purple flowers that attract pollinators.
Propagating Artichokes by Division
Every few years, divide mature artichoke plants to keep them vigorous and productive. In late winter or early spring, dig up young offsets with several roots attached. Replant them immediately into well-amended soil, spacing each new plant 3–4 feet apart. Water thoroughly until established.
Dividing is an easy, sustainable way to expand your perennial vegetable garden or share plants with friends.
How to Grow Artichokes in Cooler Climates
If you garden in zones 6–7, you can still enjoy growing artichokes; it just takes a little extra planning. Treat them as annuals or protect the crowns through winter.
- Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost.
- For best germination, chill seeds in the refrigerator for 10–14 days before planting to simulate winter dormancy.
- Transplant outside once daytime temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C).
- Expect harvests in late summer to early fall.
- In mild areas, mulch heavily and protect plants with row covers to overwinter.
Artichoke Companion Plants
Artichokes pair beautifully with other crops.
Best companions:
- Sweet potatoes, Malabar spinach, or Armenian cucumbers; shade the soil and cool roots in summer.
- Basil, thyme, and marigolds — attract pollinators and beneficial insects while discouraging aphids.
Avoid planting artichokes near shallow-rooted crops that need frequent cultivation or tilling.
Related post: Warm Season Companion Plants
How to Save Artichoke Seeds
If you’d like to save your own artichoke seeds, allow a few flower buds to fully mature and open on the plant. Once the purple blooms fade and dry, the seed heads will become fluffy and thistle-like. Cut the dried flowers from the plant and let them finish drying in a paper bag or on a tray out of direct sunlight.
When completely dry, pull on the tufts of the dried thistle, some seeds may come out attached. Separate the light, feathery chaff from the heavier seeds by hand or using a fine screen. Store the cleaned seeds in a cool, dark, and dry location until you’re ready to plant again.
Keep in mind that open-pollinated varieties like Green Globe may not come true to type, but they’re still fun to experiment with. For more reliable results, buy fresh seeds of named varieties every few years. Learn more about how to save seeds in this guide.
Tip: Saving seeds only works if you let the flowers fully develop and dry on the plant. Harvesting too early will result in immature seeds that won’t germinate.
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Final Thoughts
Once established, artichokes are one of the most rewarding perennial vegetables you can grow. They add striking texture to your garden, attract pollinators when they bloom, and provide delicious, homegrown buds every spring. With a little attention to water, space, and soil, you can enjoy globe artichokes year after year—even in hot desert climates.
If this guide on how to grow artichokes was helpful, please share it or leave a comment with your favorite variety or growing tip.
I planted my Green Globe artichoke in November 2021, then it grew throughout May, though bulbs didn’t form this year. I cut it down in May, covered it with mulch, and have been watering it via olla since. Should I expect it to pop back up in November again?
Yes, you should see sprouts pop up this fall.
This is the second year that my artichokes have come back. Each of the original four plants have multiplied to 4-6 new plants. They are about a foot tall now. Do I need to separate them for best growth? I am concerned that I will kill the plant if I separate them incorrectly, Help !
It’s a good idea to thin plants down to one plant. If you can dig down and keep the plant intact with some roots attached, you may be able to transplant them.
How would I uproot the two plants I don’t want anymore? It looks formidable. I’m happy with my 3 gorgeous artichoke plants. I just can’t afford the space.
Glad you figured it out!
Whoops, I figured it out! Sorry to trouble you.
I am planning to start a bed to grow artichokes. Can I use a garden in minutes watering grid in that bed or will the artichokes get too large?
They can work, but the artichokes get very large and will take over a lot of the bed (depending on the size). Artichokes grow very well in the ground as well, if you have a spot.
This is my second year with this plant. It’s sending up more buds than last year (yay!) but the bracts are turning brown (boo!).
The browning starts at the tips and moves down the bract to the base.
I will cut off the worst of them but wonder if there’s anything I can do to save the rest.
Also, do you have ideas on why this could be happening? I’ve been searching the web for answers and haven’t found any.
That’s frustrating. Browning bracts are usually caused by heat stress, inconsistent watering, or salt buildup (especially in hot, dry climates) Here’s a few things you can try: Harvest buds earlier before they mature too much in the heat. Water deeply and consistently; mulch helps retain moisture and cool the roots. Flush the soil to remove excess salts, and feed with a balanced fertilizer. Also check for pests like thrips hiding between the bracts. Remove damaged buds to keep the plant healthy.
Dear Angela,
You’re the best!! I planted artichokes this past winter and they are doing great! I live on the southern coast of Texas in zone 10b and I’ve got a few questions:
1. Now that it is the end of May and summer heat has set in, should I cut them back?
2. How far should I cut? To the ground? Leave a few inches?
3. Do I continue to feed them monthly? Or just keep them watered?
You have no idea how you have helped me turn my sad little dirt patch into a beautiful, productive garden! Thank you!!
Faith B.
Cut plants back to the ground and cover with at least 2 inches of organic mulch. A vining plant such as sweet potatoes, malabar spinach, or Armenian cucumbers grown over the crowns in the summer can cool the roots and help them survive hot summers. Don’t feed anymore. Regular water. So glad your garden is doing well!