A truly multifunctional native plant, Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a vigorous, sunflower-relative grown for both its bright blooms and nutrient-rich edible tubers. Native to North America, this resilient perennial produces tall, golden sunflower-like flowers in late summer and fall while quietly forming clusters of knobby tubers beneath the soil.
Each bag contains 5 healthy tubers, ready to plant and quickly establish. Sunchokes are drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and adaptable to a range of soils, making them perfect for native gardens, edible landscapes, permaculture systems, and pollinator habitats.
Beyond their beauty and productivity, sunchokes are an important nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects and provide natural cover for wildlife.
Why You’ll Love It
•Grows edible, potato-like tubers
•Supports pollinators & beneficial insects
•Makes a beautiful, living seasonal screen
•Extremely hardy and low maintenance
•Excellent for permaculture & wildlife gardens
Planting & Growing Tips
Plant tubers 3–5 inches deep in loose, well-drained soil after the risk of frost has passed (or in fall for early spring growth). Space about 12–18 inches apart. Once established, plants will return year after year and slowly spread. Great for naturalized areas, edges, or dedicated food-growing spaces.
Note: Sunchokes spread easily. Plant in an area where they can naturalize, or use a root barrier to control growth
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General Information
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