plant

Chinese artichoke

Stachys affinis

Updated 4 Aug 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Chinese artichoke (Stachys affinis) — a plant, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Lightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Mulch_biomassedible tubers and foliage

Through the year

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND
emergenceEmergence of new shoots in spring after the last frost and when soil temperatures rise above 5°C.
floweringFlowering typically occurs in late summer to early autumn as days shorten.
fruitingFruiting follows flowering, with seeds developing in early autumn.
harvestTubers are typically harvested in late autumn after the first frost, which improves flavor, and can continue into early winter.
dormancyPlants enter dormancy with the onset of cold temperatures and first autumn frosts, with above-ground growth dying back.

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Accumulatespotassium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, tuber_division
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionspring