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

05 Mar 17, caroline (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
thanks for your advice John, I will not let them dry out, I just hope they make enough tuber to resprout in our spring here, having planted them so late!
28 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I hope you do well with your yacon. Keep in mind that containers can get very hot on a hot day and also pay attention to watering. A wet, dry, wet, dry situation will reduce your yield. All the best.
26 Feb 17, caroline (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
what time of the year can i plant yacon in the westerncape?
26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Yacon needs a soil temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius or higher. Plant it about the same time as you would plant tomatoes. It takes about 6 monyjs to harvvest but some roots can be carefully removed earlier. The tops will die off if you get frosts but the roots will be sweeter after the first frost. Trust this helps
21 Feb 17, Dan (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I am also looking for yacon tubers for planting. If you can sell me any I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your efforts.
22 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Search 'yacon tubers for sale' on the internet. I did and came up with a number of suppliers including Bakers Creek Heirloom Seeds in the USA, along with others. Trust this helps
17 Jan 17, Jody (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Can we grow sunroof in Manitoba canada and if so where can we buy it from
20 Jan 17, Sam (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Hi Jody, I'm growing it in zone 4b. I just start it early indoors and then plant it outside. I will probably have a piece or two for you to start with. [email protected]
13 Apr 17, Phyllis (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Hi Sam -- do you have any yacon tubers left over still. Would love to get a piece. tks
05 Jan 17, russell bunce (Australia - temperate climate)
what are the health benefits from eating Yacon
Showing 211 - 220 of 361 comments

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