Cardoon in Zone 9a & 9b
Cynara cardunculus
When to plant cardoon in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Cardoon needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Dec 28–Jan 4 '27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 29–Jul 6 (~120 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Cardoon is a close relative of the globe artichoke already covered on this site, but instead of harvesting a flower bud, it's grown for its thick, blanched leaf stalks, a classic Mediterranean vegetable most American gardeners have never grown.
How cardoon fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Cardoon needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Cardoon.
Where to buy cardoon seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cardoon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Cardoon in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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