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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08 Feb 22, John Mauger (Australia - tropical climate)
If you refer to the growing notes for Yacon on this site you will find your answer. Yacon should grow in the Philippines The temperature guide can be read in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Just click on it for one or the other. All the best.
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07 Feb 22, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Tropical climate describes certain weather conditions whether it is Australia, China or Asia. Look at the planting guide April to July. Then read the article - warm/hot climates it is perennial. read the notes here.
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26 Mar 21, Cattleya MacGavin (Australia - temperate climate)
My friend’s yacons are flowering everywhere and my - not even a bud, same as last year. What have I done wrong.
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29 Mar 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe too much fertiliser and are they in full sun or shade.
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21 Oct 20, Di (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Will Yakon grow in Christchurch and do you know anyone that has the tubers in ChCh? Thanks.
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23 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet, farmer's markets, nurseries for tubers. Go NZ section to look up planting times.
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20 May 20, murray foster (New Zealand - temperate climate)
where to buy a yacon tubar
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22 May 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Seed selling website.
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03 Mar 20, Kevin (Australia - temperate climate)
Question - How do I get in touch with Trevor & Lynda of Australind ( Bunbury ) who posted a comment on the 9th June 2019. Regards Kevin Moir
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06 Nov 19, Julie Swallow (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Being trying to purchase Yacon but no-where has supply of them.Is anyone selling them please as I live in Orange.Thanks
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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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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.
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