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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 100 cm 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

27 Mar 24, (Australia - temperate climate)
My yakons still have some leaves on them and new shoots growing already, it is the start of April in a temperate climate, Australia. When should I harvest them, do I have to let the plant die back, what happens to the new shoots. Regards Maureen
28 Feb 24, James (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Where to buy tuber/roots to plant??? Yacon plants.
26 Nov 23, Malcolm (Australia - temperate climate)
are we allowed to grow in South Australia
25 Nov 23, Eva (Australia - temperate climate)
I wonder where I could pay some Yacon plants please. I need for health reasons. Thankyou
30 Nov 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to google and type buy yacon plants.
15 Oct 23, Berry (USA - Zone 13b climate)
I am looking for a souce to order yacon rhizomes for planting..
01 Jul 23, Barney Clarke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi my name is Barney, I live just out of Perth WA . The temperature ranges between - 5 to 40 + and the soil is sandy. My question is can I grow Pineapple here ? I have a 90 litre pot, to grow them in thank you
04 Jul 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google growing pineapples in Perth and read about it. Yes you can.
04 May 23, Rod (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what is the best way to store Yakon rhizomes once they are dug from the ground ?
13 May 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably cool dry place or in dry sand.
Showing 1 - 10 of 213 comments

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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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