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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 cm 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

21 Mar 21, Jose (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Don't fridge yacon tuber. Only the rhizomes, if you need to fridge any of it. Cool cupboard or hung in a cotton bag in the garage in a dark spot works well. These will last many months. Most yacon people watch for when the outside starts to grow some surface mould and then consume the last ones quickly. The mould just cuts off, hasn't entered the tuber. Yacon will look AWFUL and squishy and gross in a matter of weeks and that's when they are best consumed. So age them for a few weeks at least. I'd say 5 months is a minimum to be able to store them and last year I got mine to 8 months before I saw any issues. I'm in a cool and dry climate. The only overdose you'll achieve on yacon is a lot of insoluble fibre that many westerners are not used to and your belly bugs will love and you and others around you may not appreciate. It has no ill effect though and is healthy. If you eat predominantly a vegan or veggo diet than it may not have this effect for you. (Gardenate : More information here https://www.permaculture.co.uk/How-to-grow-harvest-eat-yacon )
20 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They may keep for a few weeks in the fridge. There is a YouTube video
13 Jul 18, PoMei (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have plenty of yacon eyes to plant and I will be at the Maleny markets on Sundays ...
28 Sep 18, Carolyna (Australia - arid climate)
Hi PoMei. How much are you selling the yacon rhyzomes for? Have they been stored in coir or cool soil since harvesting? Have they started to sprout? How many are available? (Note from Gardenate - we don't promote selling; exchange or gift is our preferred option)
10 Jul 18, Martin (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to source yacon rhizomes for planting. Can anyone assist
10 Jul 18, Gawie Steyn (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in South Africa can I buy yacon to plant?
24 Jun 18, Greg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Firstly I’m not sure cool/mountain climate best describes my climate, Horsham Victoria (January average temperatures > 30 and cool winters with frosts. I planted Yacons in pots in August and garden bed in September. Plants still 2 - 3 feet high and green. When should/should have I dig them up? greg
28 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the comments here, it generally tells you these things. Plant time Oct -Nov. Harvest time 25 weeks.
11 May 18, Minsoo (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi I live in tauranga. Where can I get the seed. I would like to plant in my garden. Thanks
21 May 18, Dawn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there. I will be harvesting my yacon in the next month or two and can send you some then for you to plant in spring...paying it forward as I was given 3 two seasons ago, planted 12 and gave away 16 last season, so I expect to have wayyyyy too much this harvest!!!
Showing 141 - 150 of 361 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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