Growing Yacon, also Sunroot

Smallanthus sonchifolius : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Yacon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • 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

28 Jul 19, Jill (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Love to collect some bulblets if you have any left.
15 May 19, Living The Dream Homestead (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We grew them with great success in Melbourne, I would dig them up in June and put the shooting rhizome back in the ground straight away with no issues
07 Jul 19, Salita Alford (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello I was looking for some of yacon for plant could you spare some for me please
06 Jun 19, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
if you didn't find one yet .. Waldecks in Perth .. brought one last week they had a few there
13 May 19, sharon percy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi all Just wondering if anyone has some seeds or knows where to buy them for Yacon, we are located in Albany Western Australia and are struggling to find a supplier, Thanks
10 Jun 19, Dwayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sharon. I just dug up some yacon today, so have tubers ready to propagate and plenty more in the ground. My patch is near William Bay, 15km west of Denmark. I don't get to Albany much, but do have a list building up so may be in a few weeks... Let me know. Dwayne 04 2882 0660
06 Jun 19, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sharon We have been growing yacon f in Australind for some time, I am now just digging my tubers (seeds are not the go) the purple ones will sprout the brown ones are to be eaten if your interested and at times get to Australind (Bunbury) let me know by email cheers Trevor&Lynda
28 Feb 20, Kevin (Australia - temperate climate)
I would be very interested in a chat or even a visit to learn about yacon growing. I live about an hour South East of Bunbury. Regard Kevin
20 Mar 19, Elaine Brown (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Yarcons have yet to flower ? when should they flower
24 Feb 19, Liza Storo (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Adelaide. Can you grow Yacon there? Any advice on growing and where to get the rhizomes/tubers to plant?
Showing 111 - 120 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. GardenGrow 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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