plant

Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — a plant, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun
Watermedium to high

↑ Gives back

Biomasshigh

Through the year

Emergence

Emergence occurs after the last spring frost when soil temperatures consistently reach 100C.

Flowering

Flowering is triggered by lengthening photoperiods, typically occurring about 90 days after emergence.

Harvest

Harvest of leaf stalks typically begins before flowering, about 30 days prior to the main flowering period, and can continue for 45 days.

Senescence

Senescence begins with the first autumn frost, leading to dormancy.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Accumulatespotassium, calcium, magnesium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow

Propagation

Methodsseed, division
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Stratificationnot required
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionspring

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, butterflies
Can host pestsaphids, slugs, snails
Can host diseasespowdery_mildew