Purple Opal

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Velvety, opal-purple globes with a regal, slightly smoky sweetness promise a feast for the senses—tender at the heart, with thick, meaty bracts that feel luxurious between the fingers.

Purple Opal’s buds mature into well-filled, rounded forms that roast beautifully to a deep, caramelized richness, and they shine in sauces where their color and flavor lend unmistakable character. Grow this 120-day standout for showy garden presence and a bold, artichoke-forward harvest that turns every plate into a centerpiece.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Spreading

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Oct 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Spreading
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple Opal’s buds deliver a luxurious, meaty bract texture and a heart that turns creamy without tasting flat or grassy. Roast it hard enough to caramelize, then lean into lemon, garlic, and fat to round the light bitterness into something addictive.

Best Uses

hot roast/char until the bases go jammy and the bracts turn lacquer-browned
thick-cut bract-only braises for a spoonable, vegetable-meaty texture
slow-reduced artichoke sauces where the bitterness mellows and the color stays electric
warm antipasto with lemon and olive oil to keep the finish crisp

Flavor Profile

slightly smoky, sweet-nutty bite tender, heart-forward creaminess thick, meaty bracts with a gentle bitterness opal-purple brights with caramelized roasty depth

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic parmesan olive oil butter white wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cynara scolymus (artichoke) like Purple Opal, and how do I manage it?

Artichokes commonly develop aphids and, in humid conditions, fungal leaf diseases such as botrytis/leaf spot. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray and then use insecticidal soap if they persist; remove badly spotted leaves and keep plants spaced for airflow. Avoid wetting the foliage during late day and use mulch to reduce soil splash onto leaves.

How often should I water Purple Opal artichokes during their main growing phase?

During the active growth phase, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week in typical conditions, increasing during hot spells. Water at the base early in the day so the crowns stay dry, and let the top 1–2 inches of soil partially dry between deep waterings. Consistent moisture helps prevent stunted growth and poor bud development.

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

Harvest when the artichoke buds reach full size and the outer bracts are tight and still compact, with a firm feel. The bud is ready before the tips begin to loosen or open; a common cue is when the head looks “full” and the bracts don’t easily spread apart. Cut the stem about 1–2 inches below the bud with a sharp knife for the best regrowth.