Ivory White Cardoon is a non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom vegetable that grows as an annual in zones 6-9, ready to harvest in just 60 to 69 days. This Mediterranean native is the untamed predecessor of the domesticated artichoke, prized equally for its ornamental presence and its mild, delicious flavor. The distinctive ivory white stems and tender leaves deliver an authentic artichoke taste that rewards gardeners willing to give it full sun and fertile, well-draining soil.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
6-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained Loam, Tolerates Poor Soil
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
—
Height
—
Width
36 in
Spacing
60–69
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
6-9
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
What makes Ivory White Cardoon special is its dual personality: it's equally at home in a vegetable bed or ornamental border, with striking silvery foliage and pale stems that bring architectural interest to the garden. Unlike its more familiar domesticated relative the artichoke, this heirloom variety offers both leaves and stems as edible parts, each delivering that subtle, pleasant artichoke flavor. Its relatively quick 60 to 69 day harvest window makes it achievable even for gardeners in cooler climates within its range.
Common Uses
The ivory white stems are the primary harvest, prepared much like artichoke hearts, they can be blanched, braised, fried, or added to gratins. The tender inner leaves also deliver that mild artichoke flavor and work beautifully in salads or as a cooked green. Both parts showcase the variety's understated culinary appeal, making it valuable for adventurous cooks looking to explore beyond conventional vegetables.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-summer
First Harvest
Late Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Harvesting
Harvest Ivory White Cardoon within the 60 to 69 day window from planting. The ivory white stems are ready when they're tender and pale, before they begin to toughen or darken. Cut the stems at the base or peel away individual outer stems to encourage continued production from the center of the plant.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cynara cardunculus L.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Cynara
Duration
Perennial
Native Status
L48 (I)
History & Origin
“Ivory White Cardoon represents a direct link to the wild cardoon of the Mediterranean, the very ancestor from which the cultivated artichoke was eventually developed. This open-pollinated heirloom has been preserved through generations of seed savers who valued both its productivity and its capacity to thrive in Mediterranean conditions. By growing Ivory White Cardoon, you're cultivating not just a vegetable but a piece of agricultural history, one that predates the selective breeding that created the globe artichoke we know today.”