General Information
Status in Florida: Naturalized
Native Habitat: Open woodlands, prairie edges, disturbed sites
Native States: Widespread in eastern and central U.S., native from the Great Plains to the eastern seaboard
Growing Zones: USDA Zones 3–9
Size at Maturity: 6–10 feet tall, 3–5 feet wide
Phenology: Winter dormant
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Fast
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping, herbaceous
Bloom Season: Late summer to fall (August–October in Florida)
Bloom Color: Yellow
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Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, adaptable
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Average to moist
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
Keystone Plant: No
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Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Edible gardens, pollinator gardens, tall wildflower borders, naturalized or meadow-style plantings
Maintenance Tips: Can be aggressive; dig and divide tubers in winter to manage spread and harvest; cut back after frost
Considerations: Spreads by underground tubers and can naturalize rapidly; may require containment
Hurricane Wind Resistant: No
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
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Other Information
Edible: Yes (tubers are edible raw or cooked, known as Jerusalem artichoke)
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Moderate
Historical Medicinal Uses: Used by Native American tribes for food and as a diabetic remedy due to inulin content
Florida Native Companion Plant: Rudbeckia hirta, Coreopsis leavenworthii, Asclepias tuberosa
Wildlife Benefit: Pollinators, birds (seeds), small mammals
Caterpillar Host Plant: No
Propagation: Seed, tuber division