Yacon – 2 Rhizome Pieces

Each packet contains 2 small pieces of Yacon rhizome with 1 bud on each piece. Yacon rhizomes is the fleshy root-like structures from which a Yacon plant is grown. Yacon is native to Colombia and Ecuador and is a hardy, attractive herbaceous perennial that yields a large harvest of tubers. Yacon can grow to 2m in height with small, daisy-like yellow flowers.

Common Names: Peruvian ground apple, strawberry jicama, Bolivian sunroot, llacon, groundpear, pear of the earth.

Planting Yacon Rhizomes

• Yacon likes fertile, well-drained soil and full sun, but also grows well in light shade.
• It can be grown directly in the garden or in large containers.
• It is usually planted in winter, and harvested the following autumn to early winter. However, you can also plant the rhizomes in Spring or Summer .
• Plant the rhizome about 3cm deep. Position it so that the growth buds point upwards. Cover with soil and press down firmly.
• Rhizomes are prone to rotting if they’re in standing water or soggy soil, so water very lightly after planting and then do not water the rhizomes again until you see that they have started to break dormancy, meaning when the first green shoots appear. This will happen in Spring, if you planted the rhizomes in winter. If you planted the Rhizomes in Spring or Summer, then it can take anything from 20–45 days, before you will see green shoots.
• The plant requires 6 to 7 months of frost-free growing, from planting to harvesting the tubers.