Chinese Artichoke, also called Crosne in Europe, is a hardy perennial from the mint family grown for its unique, knobby white tubers. Easy to cultivate, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers loose, well-drained soil.
Plants spread slowly by underground tubers and can naturalize into patches, making them an excellent addition to food forests, perennial beds, or mixed gardens when given space. Grow in pots if containment is needed.
In autumn, the plants die back to reveal crisp, nutty-flavoured tubers that can be eaten raw, lightly sautéed, or pickled. Though small, they’re prolific and reliably return each year if a few tubers are left in the ground.
With their attractive foliage, low maintenance needs, and unusual harvest, Crosne are both ornamental and edible, adding diversity to a resilient food garden.
Common names: Crosne, Chinese Artichoke, Japanese Artichoke, Artichoke betony, Knotroot
Edible: Roots/Tubers
Harvest timing: Fall
Scientific name: Stachys affinis
Light requirements: Full sun to part shade
Full-grown size: 12-18" tall, spreads in width
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Not required for tuber formation.
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and pollinators. Tubers are generally left alone by deer and most pests.
Origin: Native to China and introduced to Japan, where it became a traditional food crop. Spread to Europe in the 1800s under the name “crosne.”
Noteworthy: Produces unusual spiralled white tubers with crisp texture and mild nutty flavour.
