How to Grow Globe Artichoke in Australia
A cool-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing Globe Artichoke rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves ~$4-6/head. A single plant produces 6-10 heads per year for 5+ years.
This guide covers when to plant Globe Artichoke in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Globe Artichoke is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Green Globe Improved
The standard variety. Large, meaty heads with good flavour. Reliable and widely available.
Try: Yates, Mr Fothergill's, Bunnings
Imperial Star
Bred to produce in the first year from seed. More compact than Green Globe. Good for annual growing.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Violetta di Romagna
Italian heirloom with purple-tinged heads. Beautiful, rich flavour, slightly smaller.
Try: Diggers, Eden Seeds
Position and Soil
Give Globe Artichoke full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It can be container-grown in 50cm+, though it is happier in the ground.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 100 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 15 and 22 degrees.
Mediterranean perennial that thrives in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. Plant offsets or sow seed in autumn. Harvest buds before they open. In SEQ, struggles with summer humidity but will produce in well-drained raised beds. Dramatic architectural plant in the garden.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids and Snails. The main diseases to watch are Botrytis and Crown rot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Globe Artichoke is typically ready to harvest in about 6 months. Fridge unwrapped for up to 1 week. Hearts preserved in oil for months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, globe artichoke is good steamed whole and eaten leaf by leaf with butter, hearts marinated and grilled, stuffed with breadcrumbs and baked and preserved in olive oil. Nutritionally: very high in dietary fibre and rich in antioxidants including cynarin.
Companion Planting
Globe Artichoke grows well alongside Sunflower, Tarragon and Peas. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Globe Artichoke Growing
Add globe artichoke to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Globe Artichoke in Australia?
Globe Artichoke is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Globe Artichoke take to grow?
Globe Artichoke is generally ready to harvest in about 6 months.
How much sun does Globe Artichoke need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Globe Artichoke in the Plant Library
