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
  • Yacon flowering

Yacon is perennial in sub-tropical/tropical areas. Save some root pieces and treat as an annual in other areas.

Grows into a large plant (about 2 m/6ft) with flowers similar to sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes.

The plants die down after frost but the roots are sweeter. To store, dig and dry out for a couple of days in the sun if possible. Store in a dry, cool, not freezing and dark place.

Any roots left in the ground will grow the following year except where there are frosts.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Yacon

The large roots can be used raw in salads peel and chop. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
"In the Andes, they are grated and squeezed through a cloth to yield a sweet refreshing drink. The juice can also be boiled down to produce a syrup. In South America the juice is concentrated to form dark brown blocks of sugar called chancaca." (Green Harvest)

Your comments and tips

05 Jan 12, Jackie C (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Do you have info. about who sells plant or fruit to grow?.. (So. Florida)
28 Apr 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, OR has Yacon. They sell via the web.
14 Jun 16, Jakes (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Looking for Yacon tubers.
22 Jan 13, Roberta (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Like growing a potato plant, as the yakon grows, can I continue adding dirt to the container? And I have a whole new plant sprouting off the trunk of my yakon. Is this normal? Thank you.
10 Mar 14, GJX (USA - Zone 5a climate)
yes it is normal
12 Jul 15, Maritza Suarez (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Where can I get it in New Jersey and what is its name
08 Mar 20, MissChievousRN (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can yacon be grown as a container plant indoors in colder climates? How big of a container?
26 Mar 20, Tim (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I wish I could find some yacon to grow! Would you tell me where you found yours. I've been wanting to grow ya on for years out here on the farm but haven't found the tubers.
21 Aug 20, Georgial8dy (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I just ordered some from www.moonridgefarms.com/farm-products/organic-yacon.
02 Nov 20, Annette Peck (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Hi Tim! Where about do you live? I grow a large crop every year in the springtime. Please contact me if you’re interested in obtain some from me. Annette
Showing 1 - 10 of 17 comments

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