Growing Yacon, also Sunroot

Smallanthus sonchifolius : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Yacon in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • 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

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
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
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
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?
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
15 Sep 19, noel (Australia - arid climate)
would love a tuber live . kapunda
24 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the article here about growing it. Try the internet for buying - Diggers Club may have it.
24 Feb 19, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Chris grew them in Armidale, (cool/mountain zone) so you should be okay
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?
29 Jan 19, m (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the above (info on growing yacon for Sub-Tropical Australia) or google it.
Showing 41 - 50 of 216 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Yacon

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.