Cynara scolymus 'Italian'

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Cynara scolymus 'Italian' to a garden.

Silvery, tightly cupped buds unfurl into a regal, nutty-sweet flavor with a tender, meaty heart and a crisp, satiny texture.

Cynara scolymus ‘Italian’ forms large, globe-shaped artichokes that roast beautifully, shine in warm sauces, and also lend themselves to pickling for a bright, tangy bite. A standout for gardeners who want bold, architectural plants and harvests that feel like a seasonal celebration.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 150 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Cynara scolymus 'Italian'

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Cynara scolymus 'Italian' 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 4a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 4b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 5a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 5b	Jan 26th	May 4th	Oct 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Sep 28th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Jan 17th	Apr 25th	Sep 22nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Jan 12th	Apr 20th	Sep 17th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 2nd	Apr 10th	Sep 7th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Dec 24th	Apr 1st	Aug 29th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Dec 15th	Mar 23rd	Aug 20th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Nov 28th	Mar 6th	Aug 3rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Nov 3rd	Feb 9th	Jul 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	150
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This ‘Italian’ globe artichoke leans into a nutty-sweet roastiness with a meaty heart that stays satisfyingly intact instead of going hollow. It’s built for high-heat browning or a warm, lemony glaze—once the leaves crisp and the center turns creamy, it eats like a centerpiece.

Best Uses

hot roasting until the tips char and the hearts turn creamy
warm, lemony olive-oil sauces (or reduced pan sauces) to glaze the leaf
braising or stewing with garlic and salty elements for a silky texture
quick pickling for a bright, tangy crunch

Flavor Profile

nutty-sweet, slightly grassy bitterness tender, meaty artichoke heart crisp outer leaves with a satiny chew roasty sweetness when browned

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic extra-virgin olive oil parmesan chili flakes white wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Cynara scolymus (artichokes), and what should I do?

A common problem is Artichoke downy mildew (often shows as pale-yellow patches on upper leaves and grayish growth on the underside). Remove and destroy heavily affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If outbreaks persist, apply a labeled fungicide that targets downy mildew and follow label timing for repeat applications.

How often should I water Italian artichokes during peak growth, and what soil moisture level do they need?

During active growth, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again to prevent root stress.

How can I tell when Italian artichokes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the edible buds are fully formed and tight: the bracts should be firm and still closed, and the top should not be opening or showing purple flowers. For most plants, this occurs after roughly 150 days from planting for the main crop, but confirm by bud size and tightness—cut the stem with about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below the bud once ready.