Growing Yacon, also Sunroot

Smallanthus sonchifolius : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Easy to grow. Plant sprouting root/tuber to a depth of about 4cm and mulch to cover. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 25 weeks. You can collect a few at a time without digging out the whole plant..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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02 Jul 18, carol o'shea (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hello Dawn. I am in Tauranga, was given a Yacon plant last spring. It is beginning to die down. can you give me any advice as to what I do with it now. Do I dig the whole plant up? how do I start another plant for the coming spring? Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Regards Carol
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26 Jul 18, Faye (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Dig the whole plant up. Eat the large light brown tubers (look like dahlia tubers) . Where the stem meets the ground should be a different thickened part more reddish keep this it will get shoots in spring and is the bit to plant when danger of frosts is past.
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21 Apr 18, Jim (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Has anyone got any spare Yacon in Toowoomba? Cheers, JIm.
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23 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If no success try Boondie Seeds (lives in Armidale NSW) - they have them but sold out at the moment - contact her to find out when she might have them back in stock. Sometimes she has stock when the website says sold out.
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06 Apr 18, ron (Australia - temperate climate)
I put a post about Yacon on 30 Aug 17.We planted tubers in May ,ended up with 9 plants all put into pots . They are now Flowering . We can see some tubers now.Plants still green some have up to 5 stems & over 2 metres tall Thank You to Mountain Herbs @Katoomba. Great buy for $16.10 Would highly recommend them.!!Ron
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23 Mar 18, Graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
We had a great crop (considering 1st year in the ground.) This 2nd year the plants have flourished but haven't flowered. The plants are just beginning to feel the cooler monthes (we water but very dry). We have had no flowers this year. Should we be concerned? Thanks for any tips!
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22 Mar 18, Riyaad (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi guys. Would anyone be able to help me with Yacon rhizomes or tubers for planting. Would really appreciate it. Thanks
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10 Jul 18, Amanda (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Riyaad Was just wondering if you had managed to get Yacon tubers for planting. I am also looking for some and thought that asking you would be a good place to start. Thank you Amanda
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04 Mar 18, Heather truster (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Where can I purchase in the Barrie area
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04 Dec 17, Jill Weiss (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
Does anyone know where to buy Yacon tubers in Canada? I would like to try growing them Thanks Jill
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