Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of salinity on the accumulation and distribution of sugars in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus cv. Nanyu No. 1). The tuber, stem, and leaf showed differences in sugar accumulation under salt stress, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection. At 140 DAP (days after planting), the contents of fructose, glucose, and sucrose were 72.67%, 78.31%, and 39.40% lower, respectively, in the stems of salt-treated plants than in those of control plants; and 67.08%, 60.91%, and 30.07% lower, respectively, in the tubers of salt-treated plants than in those of control plants. The contents of fructose, glucose, and sucrose in the leaves did not differ significantly between salt-treated and control plants. At 220 DAP, the contents of fructose, glucose, and sucrose had hardly changed in the tuber, but the glucose content in the stem was 139.22% lower in the salt-treated plants than in the control plants, and sugars were not detected in the leaves at this stage. Generally, there was a low degree polymerization of fructans in the tubers and stems of Jerusalem artichoke. Compared with the control, the salt-treated plants at 140 DAP showed different contents of 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F-fructofuranosylnystose in the tuber and stem. The sugar content in leaves was very low in salt-treated plants at this stage, similar to that in the control. At 220 DAP, 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F-fructofuranosylnystose were barely detectable in the stems of salt-treated plants, while the contents of 1-kestose and 1F-fructofuranosylnystose in the tubers had not changed significantly. The results implied that sugars in the stem and leaves were gradually transferred to the tuber as it developed. Salt stress induced an osmotic adjustment followed by sugar accumulation in the tuber. Salt stress affected the accumulation and distribution profiles of sugars in Jerusalem artichoke, and greatly reduced fructan accumulation in aboveground tissues, especially the stem.