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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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
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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
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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
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20 Mar 19, Elaine Brown (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Yarcons have yet to flower ? when should they flower
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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?
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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
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15 Sep 19, noel (Australia - arid climate)
would love a tuber live . kapunda
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24 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the article here about growing it. Try the internet for buying - Diggers Club may have it.
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24 Feb 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Chris grew them in Armidale, (cool/mountain zone) so you should be okay
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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?
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Mary, Waldecks currently have Yacon for what appears to be much less than the private sellers & they are healthy plants.

- Tricia

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