It would be easy to mistake natural artichokes for a flashy set of flowers, but they taste a lot better cooked. Humans tend to pick the flower buds before they sprout, and we use artichokes in various tasty recipes around the world. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever see another plant that’s as vibrant as an artichoke plant. If you’re looking to grow them at home, you’ll need plenty of heat and moisture. They grow best near the equator region, in places like the Mediterranean.