Catanese

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Unfurling from tight, armor-like bracts, Catanese artichokes offer a richly nutty, subtly sweet flavor with a tender, meaty heart once the globes reach full size.

The heads are beautifully uniform and substantial, with a crisp-to-silky texture that holds its character whether enjoyed fresh or prepared for classic artichoke favorites. Grow Catanese for a bold, garden-to-table centerpiece—each 120-day season rewarding you with striking globes and an unmistakable, gourmet depth of taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Catanese Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 6th	Aug 10th	Dec 8th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Mar 23rd	Jul 27th	Nov 24th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	Jul 20th	Nov 17th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	Jul 10th	Nov 7th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	Jul 10th	Nov 7th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	Jul 14th	Nov 11th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	Jul 10th	Nov 7th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Jul 8th	Nov 5th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Jul 3rd	Oct 31st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Jun 29th	Oct 27th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Jun 26th	Oct 24th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Jun 20th	Oct 18th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Jun 15th	Oct 13th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Jun 5th	Oct 3rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	May 27th	Sep 24th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	May 18th	Sep 15th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	May 1st	Aug 29th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Apr 6th	Aug 4th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Catanese’s bracts land crisp then silky, while the heart stays meaty—so it eats like a centerpiece, not a garnish. It loves sharp, fatty foils (lemon, butter, mayo) and salty, nutty partners (Parmesan) that mirror its roasted, nutty character without turning it flat.

Best Uses

steaming/boiling for bract-and-heart dipping with lemony mayo
hot artichoke dips where the bracts turn creamy without collapsing
grilling or roasting halves for smoky edges and a jammy heart
braising in butter and stock for a clean, savory finish

Flavor Profile

richly nutty flavor subtly sweet, vegetal earthiness tender, meaty heart with crisp-to-silky bracts

Kitchen Pairings

lemon parmesan garlic-infused oil butter aioli smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus/Catanese), and how do I prevent and treat it?

One of the most common issues is crown rot (often from overly wet, poorly drained soil). Keep the crown above consistently damp ground, water at the soil line rather than the leaves, and remove any collapsed or blackened plant tissue early. If you see spreading rot, dig out the affected crown to protect nearby plants, and rotate beds because the pathogen can persist in the soil.

How often should I water Cynara scolymus during the main growing phase?

During active head and leaf growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and soil texture. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top few centimeters dry slightly before watering again. Inconsistent soaking followed by drying stresses artichokes and can reduce head size.

How can I tell when Catanese (Cynara scolymus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the central bud is firm and the bracts are still tight, before the tips start to loosen or fray. For most plants, head size reaches market stage around 90–120 days; check daily during the final 2–3 weeks because heads can quickly move past peak. Cut the stem with a few inches below the bud to encourage side shoots for later smaller harvests.