Plant Details

Cynara scolymus

Globe Artichoke

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cynara scolymus.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Globe Artichoke
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Artisjok
French
  • Artichaut
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Cynara scolymus
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus View name reference ↗

This record describes globe artichoke. The accepted subspecies also covers other plant material.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Asteraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cynara (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Globe Artichoke

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Stems
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Dye, Carbon farming

Description

When harvesting globe artichokes, flower buds that have not yet opened are used. These have a mild and pleasant flavor. Although globe artichokes are considered a delicacy, they can be difficult to eat. Only the base of the involucral leaves and the 'heart' from which the petals grow are consumed. Baby artichokes on side stems can be pickled or added to soups and stews. The plants produce about 5 to 6 main heads per year starting from the second year. Flower stems can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a sweet, nutty flavor. Young leaf stems can serve as a substitute for celery. To reduce bitterness, they are usually blanched before being consumed raw or cooked. The leaves have a bitter taste and are eaten cooked. Dried flowers can be used as a rennet substitute when curdling plant milk.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 15/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Cynara scolymus L., name ID 2910164, row 836358; Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus , name ID 3265625, row 697949
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 560388; name ID 3134409; Cynara L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.