Jerusalem Artichoke Weeds: How To Control Jerusalem Artichokes

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Jerusalem artichoke looks much like a sunflower, but unlike the well-behaved summer-blooming annual, Jerusalem artichoke is an aggressive weed that creates big problems along roadsides and in pastures, fields, and home gardens. Jerusalem artichokes weeds are especially invasive along the West Coast and in the eastern United States. Is Jerusalem Artichoke Invasive? Although the sturdy underground tubers of Jerusalem artichoke are edible and highly nutritious, they make the plant extremely difficult to control. Each plant produces from 75 to 200 tubers in a single growing season, and each tuber is capable of sending out up to six shoots. It’s easy to understand how Jerusalem artichoke weeds create major headaches. How to Control Jerusalem Artichokes Jerusalem artichoke develops new shoots only on tubers formed the previous year. It may seem logical that Jerusalem artichoke weeds should be easily controlled by simply digging

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