Stachys affinis
Chinese artichoke
Common names: Crosne, Japanese artichoke
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Spacing
- 25 cm, rows 40 cm
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Planting
- Mar–Apr
- Harvest
- Jan, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Hardiness
- Cold damage below −5 °C
- Water need
- Medium
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
Stachys affinis, known in German as Knollenziest, Crosne, Japanese potato, and Erdartischocke, produces small, spiral‑shaped tubers underground that resemble tiny caterpillars. The plant is native to East Asia and is cultivated mainly for its edible tubers, which taste mild, slightly nutty, and have a texture similar to a blend of water chestnut and Jerusalem artichoke. Above ground, the perennial grows in a bushy form up to about 40 cm tall, bearing inconspicuous purplish‑pink flowers.
Care instructions
Plant the tubers in mid‑April (week 16 to 17) once the soil has warmed, about 8 to 10 cm deep in loose, humus‑rich soil. The plant prefers a sunny to semi‑shaded spot with even moisture, though it tolerates brief dry periods well. During summer, occasional watering and keeping the bed weed‑free is sufficient. Harvest from October through winter, ideally after the first light frosts when the tubers become more aromatic. Leaving a few tubers in the ground allows the plant to regrow the following spring.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
PlantingMar–Apr
HarvestJan, Oct–Dec
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, loamy
Chinese artichoke likes loose, humus-rich soil that holds moisture well without becoming waterlogged. The richer in nutrients and the deeper the soil, the plumper the tubers become. You are best off loosening heavy, compacted soils with plenty of compost before planting.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Apr–Jun
Before planting in April, work a generous portion of mature compost into the soil. During the growing phase in May and June, Chinese artichoke appreciates a dose of nettle liquid feed or horn shavings. Later in the year you do not need to feed again; the plant withdraws to form tubers anyway.
Overwintering
The tubers are frost-hardy and can safely stay in the ground all winter. A mulch layer of leaves or straw protects them further from hard frost and makes harvesting easier for you when the ground is not completely frozen. You simply harvest as needed from autumn into spring.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- Offsets
The simplest propagation is by the tubers themselves: part of the harvest goes straight back into the ground as planting stock. Plant the small, spindle-shaped tubers in April about 5 to 8 cm deep and 30 to 40 cm apart. Since Chinese artichoke multiplies by itself via underground runners, in spring you simply divide surplus clumps and replant the pieces in a new location.
Companion planting
Good neighbors
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
particularly well establishedYou will find that basil next to tomato and pepper improves taste and keeps whiteflies and aphids away.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 14 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 41 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Chinese artichoke yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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