When to Plant Jerusalem artichoke in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Also called sunchoke, sunroot.

Plant now in Subtropical Soil 21.5°C, best 6–25°C

That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 21:55 yesterday, not a model.

What this month normally looks like in Subtropical

In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.

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  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Jerusalem artichoke guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Planting window
Aug to Oct
Days to harvest
about 20 weeks
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Low
Spacing
35 cm apart
Soil pH
5.8–7.5

Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) are one of the easiest and most productive root vegetables for Australian gardens. A perennial sunflower relative that produces knobby, nutty-flavoured tubers underground.

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Jerusalem artichoke

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Subtropical

  • Jan -
  • Feb -
  • Mar -
  • Apr -
  • May -
  • Jun -
  • Jul -
  • Aug P
  • Sep P
  • Oct P
  • Nov -
  • Dec -

P = Planting window

Plant tubers in late winter to spring and dig them once the tops die back in autumn. In wet subtropical soils, lift the whole crop at once, because tubers left in the ground can rot.

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How to Grow Jerusalem artichoke in Subtropical Australia

Soil
Tolerates almost any soil but produces best tubers in loose, well-drained soil with moderate organic matter. Thrives in sandy loam to clay loam. Grows in poor soils where other crops fail. Deep soil produces larger tubers.
Salt
Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
pH Range
5.8-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates partial shade but tuber production is reduced. Plants grow 2-3m tall and can shade other crops.
Spacing
35cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Drought tolerant once established. Water regularly during tuber formation (summer-autumn) for larger yields. Weekly deep watering in dry spells. Overwatering is rarely an issue.
Good companions
Sweet Corn (similar height/culture), Cucumber, Tomato, Sunflower, Pumpkin
Keep away from
Low-growing crops that will be shaded (lettuce, strawberry)
Grow before it
Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)
Grow after it
Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)

Give the bed 3 turns before root crops go back in. Roots fork and go leafy in fresh manure, so they take the bed after the heavy feeders have used it.

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Subtropical Growing Tips for Jerusalem artichoke

Recommended Varieties

  • Fuseau
  • Dwarf Sunray
  • Common

Key Challenges

  • Warm autumns delaying tuber formation
  • Plants growing very tall (3m+) in rich soil
  • Containment

Pro Tips

  • SEQ can grow excellent Jerusalem artichokes
  • Plant in a contained area, they WILL spread
  • Cut stems to 1.5m in March to redirect energy to tubers

Pests and problems for Jerusalem artichoke in Subtropical

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Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Jerusalem artichoke

When ready: Harvest after the stems die back from frost or natural senescence (usually May-June). Tubers are mature when plants have flowered and tops begin to yellow. Approximately 140-150 days from planting.

How to harvest: Cut dead stems to 10cm. Dig carefully with a garden fork, starting well outside the stem base. Tubers spread laterally up to 40cm from the main stem. Any tuber left in the ground WILL regrow. Harvest thoroughly if you want to contain the patch.

Storing and preserving jerusalem artichoke

How to keep it
  • Refrigerator Storage. Brush off soil (do not wash). Place in a perforated plastic bag or container with damp paper towel in the crisper drawer. Keeps: 2-3 weeks (dehydrate quickly out of ground).
  • Dehydrating (Sunchoke Chips). Scrub and slice thinly (2-3mm). Toss in lemon juice to prevent browning. Spread on dehydrator trays. Dry at 55C for 8-12 hours until crisp. Season with salt. Keeps: 6-12 months in airtight container.
  • Freezing. Scrub, peel, and dice. Blanch 3 minutes. Plunge in ice water. Drain, tray freeze, then bag. Or roast first, then freeze (better texture on reheating). Keeps: 12 months frozen.
  • In-Ground Storage (Best Method). Leave tubers in the ground after tops die back. Harvest as needed through winter and spring. Mulch over the tuber zone (10cm straw) in very cold areas to prevent ground freezing solid. This is the simplest and most effective storage method. Keeps: 4-6 months in ground (until regrowth begins in spring).
  • Pickling. Scrub and slice thinly. Pack into sterilised jars with dill, garlic, and peppercorns. Pour over hot pickling brine (1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt). Seal and process in water bath for 10 minutes. Keeps: 12 months (sealed jar).

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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Common Questions About Jerusalem artichoke

When do you plant jerusalem artichoke in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

What else is jerusalem artichoke called?

Jerusalem artichoke is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it sunchoke, sunroot. Same plant, same growing advice.

When should I plant Jerusalem artichoke in Brisbane?

Plant tubers in late winter to spring and dig them once the tops die back in autumn. In wet subtropical soils, lift the whole crop at once, because tubers left in the ground can rot.

What soil temperature do Jerusalem artichoke need?

Jerusalem artichoke germinate best when soil temperature is between 6°C and 25°C.

How do I know when Jerusalem artichoke are ready to harvest?

Harvest after the stems die back from frost or natural senescence (usually May-June). Tubers are mature when plants have flowered and tops begin to yellow. Approximately 140-150 days from planting.

What are the best Jerusalem artichoke varieties for Brisbane?

Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Fuseau, Dwarf Sunray, Common.

What grows well with Jerusalem artichoke?

Good companion plants for Jerusalem artichoke include: Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Tomato, Sunflower, Pumpkin.

Are jerusalem artichoke salt tolerant?

Only a little. Jerusalem artichoke are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.