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

21 Jun 19, Tina (Australia - temperate climate)
My daughter grows them in Gawler and I grow them in Naracoorte where it is cooler. let me know if you want a tuber
15 Sep 19, noel (Australia - arid climate)
would love a tuber live . kapunda
24 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the article here about growing it. Try the internet for buying - Diggers Club may have it.
24 Feb 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Chris grew them in Armidale, (cool/mountain zone) so you should be okay
28 Jan 19, Chris Gee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grow a Yacon as a test run and it went OK so I have 10 plants in now and they are about 1m high. When I harvest can I just plant the rhizomes straight away back into the ground or should I pot them first?
29 Jan 19, m (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the above (info on growing yacon for Sub-Tropical Australia) or google it.
10 Nov 18, Sarah Hulley (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Everyone I was wondering if anyone managed to find Yacon roots for planting?
14 Aug 18, TONY MCRAE (Australia - temperate climate)
I am on the east coast of Tasmania and would like to get hold of some Yacon plants. Does anyone have any available? I can collect north or south of the state. Thanks, Tony.
04 Oct 18, Janice (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Tony, I am in Hobart and have recently harvested my Yacon and have several clumps of Rhizomes/tubers available if interested. Happy to give away. They grow well here and multiply ++ I acquired my first tuber from a friend in Burnie (they grow well there) ... founder of Food Plants International, which has produced the largest database (fee online) of edible food plants in the world.
09 Jun 20, Trevor Clark (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Janice I am also in the hobart area and was hoping to obtain some Yacon tubers or root stock. Can you please point me in the right direction, cheers trevor
Showing 121 - 130 of 361 comments

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