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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
14 Aug 13, Jim (Australia - temperate climate)
G'day. I'm in Tassie and would like to know where I can buy some of this wonder plant called Yucon
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 17, David Donald (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Jim I am in Hobart and have some growing. I have happy to share some if you can let me know by email where you are.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 20, Trevor Clark (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi David I am in Lauderdale Tas and was wondering if you could pls direct me to a source of Yacon? Cheers trevor
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Mar 20, Fiona Wilkinson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Jim, I'm in Fingal and was wondering if you still have any yacon? If so could you please let me know. Kind regards Fiona
Reply or Post a new comment
30 May 17, Allison (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi David - i am just wondering if you have any spare yacon corms - i am happy to buy them. There are some on gumtree in Burnie but the seller said they would be very expensive to post to me in Hobart. No worries if none avaiable. Regards Allison
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 17, David Donald (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Allison I am more than happy to give you some shoots to grow. email me on [email protected] and I will deliver you some. I live on one side of Hobart and work on the other side so getting some to you shouldn't be difficult.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 17, Christine (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hello David, I have sent you an email re- Yacon plants. I live on eastern shore but happy to travel. Can I also grab a couple of plants please . [email protected] is my email. Thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 17, Saananda Saananda (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi David, I'm in Hobart area and would appreciate info on how to get hold of and grow yacon in this area. Than you
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 17, David Donald (Australia - arid climate)
Hi. email me on [email protected] and I will organise to get you some yacon. I want to share it as widely as possible in Hobart just in case I somehow lose mine :)
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Aug 17, Christine (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hello, I would also like to grow Yacon ...... I live in Forcett, can you give me tips on growing this plant too. Do you have any plants?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 191 - 200 of 216 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. Gardenate 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.