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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11 Jun 22, carla Jeanne wheeler (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Lavinia. I have some crowns...I live in Sydney area and could post some out to you. Plant in Oct and November and harvest June-July
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11 Aug 16, Kylie Minchin (Australia - temperate climate)
I have found that no nursery over East can ship Yacon to western Australia due to quarantine laws, is there anyone out there that can help me to buy Yacon to grow in W.A?
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12 Dec 16, Julia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Kylie, I just saw them for sale in Waldecks in Myaree. Hope it helps.
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09 Aug 16, Courtney (Australia - temperate climate)
Just Organics in Sydney has quality tubers you can grow from.
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09 Aug 16, Kylie Minchin (Australia - temperate climate)
Can anyone help me to buy Yacon plants to grow at home in Western Australia. I am happy to buy cuttings or tubers or plants. I have posted wanted ads on gumtree also. No luck. No nursery I have called can help me. Does anyone in WA have any for sale ?
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27 Nov 16, Peter Lennon (Australia - temperate climate)
Apparently you can buy them from Waldecks nursery's.
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24 Oct 16, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Kylie, I came across some plants at Waldecks in Stirling today. They are selling for $50 each, but I figure I should be able to propagate them next year.
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16 Aug 16, Natalia Carbone (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, Kylie! Find me on Facebook: Natalia Carbone / Goondiwindi. I ordered some yacon rhizomes for myself this year. I might be able to help you out. Send me a message on FB.
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21 Sep 16, Kylie Minchin. (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Natalia. My name is Kylie Minchin. You posted me a msg in regards to Yacon. I can't get my hands on any here in Western Australia. The nurseries over East have it but won't ship to me in WA because of quarantine. Do you have any suggestions as to how I could get some. I did msg you through FB last week. Not sure if you received it Kind regards Kylie
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30 Aug 16, Kylie minchin (Australia - arid climate)
Thank you for your reply Natalia in regards to Yacon. I'm overseas at present. Back in WA on 8th September. I will contact you on FB When I return. Kind regards Kylie Minchin
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Showing 141 - 150 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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