Perennial Vegetables to Grow Once and Harvest for Years

Common perennial vegetables

• Asparagus: long-lived spears; establish a year or two before harvesting
• Rhubarb: harvest the stalks only (leaves are toxic); can live 10 to 15+ years
• Horseradish: hardy perennial root
• Sorrel: sour-leaved spring green, hardy into cold zones
• Globe artichoke: perennial where winters are mild or with protection

Why grow perennials

Perennial vegetables reduce replanting, often crop early in spring, and can be very productive over many years once established. Give them a dedicated, well-prepared bed since they stay put.

→ The exact list of reliable perennials depends on your climate; asparagus, rhubarb, and horseradish are dependable even in cold regions.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• University of Minnesota Extension — Growing asparagus in home gardens — Asparagus is one of the few perennial vegetables grown in Minnesota; others include horseradish and rhubarb.
• University of Minnesota Extension — Growing sorrel in home gardens — Sorrel is a perennial vegetable hardy into cold zones and among the first crops ready in spring.
• RHS — Shade-loving edible perennials — Edible perennials such as rhubarb and sorrel come back year after year in the garden.

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