Growing Yam/Oca, also Oka

Oxalis tuberosa : Oxalidaceae / the wood sorrel family

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

(Best months for growing Yam/Oca in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep covered with soil. Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks. Leave in the ground until foliage has completely died down so tubers reach maximum size.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

16 Jun 13, Bruce Baker (Australia - temperate climate)
John, Do you have any Yam tubers available? I would like to secure some. Can be contacted be email [email protected]
08 Apr 13, Billye Timbes (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I bought 1 or 2 little plants last summer & planted them on a little hilled bed. The plants died down but I left them as they were until last week when I noticed parts of tubers sticking out of the soft ground. I dug around & there are lots of them, some of them sprouting already (April 7). I left a few to grow again but I harvested several quarts of tubers. The slugs had nibbled some of them but most look healthy. Portland OR. no work, no trouble.
03 Apr 13, John Studte (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Joan.Don`t cut the growth as that is normal and means they are growing well.You will get tubers growing along the growth and at the end also. Cheers John. Tassie.
28 Mar 13, Joan Pittas (Australia - temperate climate)
We are growing yams in out communal garden and they are sendiing out shoots about 2metres long. They are in raised beds,and the foliage is spreading all over the place. Should we cut the extra long shoots off?
28 Feb 13, Glenda (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Where can I get plants or seeds to grow Oca in NY State Glenda
28 Oct 12, John Studte (Australia - temperate climate)
I still have plenty of NZ yam-occa tubers available for immediate planting.Please contact me at [email protected] John.Devonport.Tassie.
17 Oct 12, shelley (Australia - temperate climate)
I am after some seeds or cuttings to grow some yams, I'm in Sydney can anyone help please?
07 Oct 12, John Studte (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jenny. I still have some tubers left.John Tassie.
06 Oct 12, Jenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would llike to purchase some Yams for seed. Can anyone help???
04 Sep 12, manda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just got a big bag from my fruit n veg shop should I plant them now ? I was thinking of using a spud bag , any suggestions ? I planted some a few years back in my garden but they rotted - I think the soil was too heavy (red clay ) .
Showing 101 - 110 of 181 comments

I'd go with the online info. We plant October/November, harvesting May/June (better after the first frost). They can take their time to really take off - ours had minimal foliage until March.

- Richard Grevers

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