Artichoke, Purple

Variety Key Traits:

Purple Artichoke is a premium variety featuring large, uniform globe-shaped buds with a deep, vibrant purple color. The edible heart is sweet and tender, packed with essential nutrients like folate, fiber, biotin, niacin, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Known as a superfood, this variety is rich in health benefits.

A member of the Asteraceae family, this hardy, medium-sized plant has an upright growth habit with deeply serrated, nearly spineless leaves and a vigorous growth rate. If left unharvested, the artichoke buds bloom into large, thistle-like yellow flowers, offering both ornamental beauty and edibility. Purple Artichoke is perfect for an edible landscape or mixed border.

As a cool-season vegetable, it’s one of the first to be planted in spring. Artichoke seeds can be directly sown outdoors in early spring before the last frost or started indoors 6-12 weeks prior to transplanting. The plant thrives in cooler temperatures, with daytime ranges between 60-70°F and nighttime ranges of 50-60°F. For temperatures dropping below 25°F, row covers can help protect the plants. Mulching is also beneficial to regulate soil temperature, conserve moisture, and control weeds.