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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07 Aug 17, Ken Chee (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Marilyn - Could you please provide me the seller's contact details as I wish to purchase some Yacon rhizomes from her. I am from Castle Hill (Sydney). Many thanks. Ken
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30 Aug 17, Ron (Australia - temperate climate)
Morisset nsw Ken, I brought YACON from Mountain Herbs Katoomba nsw in may 2017 .Some tubers in small cardboard box $10.00 were sent by courier $6.10. Planted middle May 4seedlings now up & growing
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08 Sep 17, Minh Ha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Ron and friends, I live in Bankstown NSW. I am interested to grow Yacon in my backyard. Could you tell me where can I purchase the plants? Thanks a ton. Minh
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19 Aug 17, Marilyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry for the delay in respo ding. Was looking for an email . I bought them through Gumtree $26.00 for 2. Very prompt service too. The add displays YACO peruvian ground Apple plant with a picture of the plant in flower. PLSLCC in Taree. Hope this helps Ken.
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08 Jul 17, naomi fischer (Australia - temperate climate)
I purchased the rhizomes from the Diggers Club. They may not be in stock yet but they do supply stock in pots when available. Cheers
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21 Jun 17, Kevin Watkins (Australia - temperate climate)
In Perth Western Australia did not flower and leaves are dieing back.Will tubers be ok?
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01 Jun 17, Tania (Australia - temperate climate)
Penny, where in perth, we would love some? We live in Narrogin however we do visit often.
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20 May 17, Penny (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Yacon growing in the southern suburbs of Perth if you would like some.
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13 Jul 17, kathie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi , just saw your post. I bought a mangy one from waldecks at a hideous price so as to be sure of product. It lost its leave( they said that was ok) and now when I checked the root has no tuber and looks as if its been dead for a while . really want to grow this plant and was wondering if you still have some ? I also live in the southern suburbs of Perth. Kathie
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16 May 17, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Has any one grown yacon in hothouse to save from frost l live in melb
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Showing 91 - 100 of 216 comments
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In July I planted some tubers I got from my relative in the Blue Mountains ...cold up there. Came back to Brisbane and left them lying around for a few days before I got round to finding a big enough garden bag/soil to plant in. Put them NOT too deep in organic compacted soil and in a week or two they shot up. Now in September they are growing very quickly and looking great. The tubers had gone a bit 'soft' before I planted them but all seems to have gone fine...so far. Not sure when they may reach flower and die back. Excited to see what happens.

- Linda B

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