Description

Sicilian Purple Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), known in Italian as Carciofo Violetto di Sicilia, is a traditional Mediterranean vegetable prized for its beautiful purple-tinged flower buds and tender, flavourful hearts. This vigorous perennial produces attractive, deeply divided, silvery-green leaves and distinctive artichoke heads, making it both productive and ornamental.

Widely enjoyed in Mediterranean cuisine, Sicilian Purple Artichokes are perfect for steaming, roasting, grilling, stuffing and traditional Maltese dishes. Their tender hearts and fleshy leaf bases offer a delicious, slightly nutty flavour. Well suited to Malta’s Mediterranean climate, artichokes are an excellent addition to home vegetable gardens.

🌱 Growing Instructions

☀️ Sunlight: Requires full sun, ideally 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Thrives in Malta’s sunny gardens and vegetable beds.

💧 Watering: Water deeply and regularly during active growth and bud development. Established plants tolerate some drought, but consistent moisture encourages larger, tender artichokes. Reduce watering during summer dormancy.

🌱 Soil: Plant in deep, fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure.

🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 15°C–25°C. Malta’s mild winters are ideal for active growth, while extreme summer heat may cause plants to slow down or enter dormancy.

📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 100–120 cm between plants to accommodate their large foliage and spreading growth.

🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions. Add compost in autumn to maintain soil fertility.

✂️ Harvesting: Harvest artichoke buds while firm, compact and tightly closed, before the purple flowers begin to open. Cut the buds with a short section of stem attached. Established plants generally produce their main harvest during spring.

🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)

Best planting season: September to November or February to March, allowing plants to establish during mild weather.

Position: Sunny vegetable gardens or raised beds with deep, fertile soil, good drainage and plenty of space.

Companion plants: Lettuce, peas and other low-growing vegetables, provided sufficient space is maintained around the artichoke.

Common issue: Aphids may attack tender shoots and developing buds. Inspect plants regularly and maintain good air circulation. During summer, foliage may naturally decline as plants enter dormancy.

📦 Product Information

Variety: Violetto di Sicilia (Sicilian Purple Artichoke)

Botanical Name: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Family: Asteraceae

Plant Type: Perennial Fruiting Vegetable

Pot Size: 10 cm

Growth Habit: Large, Upright and Clump-Forming

Harvest Season: Mainly Spring

Flowering Season: Spring to Summer, if buds are left unharvested

Special Characteristics: Traditional Sicilian variety producing attractive purple-tinged artichoke buds, tender edible hearts, ornamental silvery-green foliage and excellent suitability for Mediterranean cultivation.

Important Information

Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.

The price is per one plant in a 10 cm pot.