Grow artichoke in a large pot that drains.
Use a large pot that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pot | One plant in a pot about eighteen to twenty-four inches wide and deep, with a drainage hole | Do not squeeze it into a small pot |
| Mix | A potting mix that drains, with compost mixed in | Do not fill the pot with garden soil |
| Sun | Full sun, with afternoon shade in a heatwave | Do not leave a pot in deep shade |
Artichoke makes a large root system, so the pot has to be big. An eighteen-inch pot is a floor; twenty to twenty-five gallons is more comfortable. Use a mix that drains, and set the plant at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot. Garden soil packs in a pot and stays wet around the crown, so start with a potting mix and compost. [1] [2] A crop is possible in a pot at least eighteen inches wide and deep. [3] artichoke wants that same large pot. Open ground is still easier for a mature clump on How to Grow Artichoke.
Can I grow artichoke in a pot?
Yes, if the pot is large and it drains. One plant per pot. Open ground is easier for a mature clump.
How big a pot does artichoke need?
Use a pot about eighteen to twenty-four inches wide and deep, with a drainage hole. A smaller pot dries too fast and makes few buds.
Water the mix often while the buds form
A pot dries faster than a bed. Water deeply when the top of the mix is dry, then again in heat so the buds can swell. Do not leave the mix soggy around the crown, because the roots rot.
- Water until water runs from the drainage hole, then wait until the top of the mix is dry before you water again.
- In summer heat, check the pot every day or two. A large artichoke in a pot can need water two or three times a week.
- Feed a container plant through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, because the mix runs out of nutrients faster than open ground.
- Before a hard freeze, cut the top back and move the pot to an unheated garage or a sheltered wall, or treat the plant as a one-season crop. [4]
If the mix dried out while buds were forming, soak the pot, then keep it evenly moist through the next hot week.
FAQ
How do I overwinter a potted artichoke?
After a hard frost, cut the top back. Move the pot to a cold, dark place just above freezing, and water only enough to keep the mix from bone-dry. Bring it out after the last frost.
Can I start artichoke seed in a pot?
Start seed in a small pot, then move the plant into the large pot after frost. Crowns and rooted shoots fill a pot more evenly than seed.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Harvest to Table -
https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-artichokes-in-containers-soil-mix-pot-size-and-seasonal-care/ - [2] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/artichoke/container-grown-artichoke-plants.htm - [3] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/globe-artichokes/grow-your-own - [4] University of Maine Cooperative Extension -
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2075e/
This note is part of Cynara Guides.
More container notes by plant live in Container Growing Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors