When to Plant Yacon in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow August to October. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Yacon guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Yacon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Yacon (Peruvian ground apple) is an unusual South American root crop producing large, sweet, crunchy tubers that can be eaten raw like fruit. It stores energy as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) rather than starch, making it very low calorie and prebiotic. The plant grows like a sunflower (1.5-2m tall), is virtually pest-free, and produces prolifically. Propagated from rhizomes, not seed.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - D D D - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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How to Grow Yacon in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant September-November. Top growth dies back in May-June with shorter days and cooler temperatures. Harvest May-July.

Soil
Rich, friable, well-drained soil. Grows in a wide range of soils but crops best in deep, fertile loam with plenty of organic matter. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
pH Range
5.5-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun to light shade. Tolerates some shade but yields best in full sun.
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Watering
Water regularly during establishment and dry periods. Yacon is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established but yields more with consistent moisture. Reduce watering after the top growth dies back i

Companion plants: Sunflower, Corn, Jerusalem Artichoke

Avoid planting near: No known antagonisms

Subtropical Growing Tips for Yacon

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard yacon (limited named varieties)
  • Red-skinned selections if available

Key Challenges

  • Frost can damage exposed tubers if not mulched
  • Tall plants may blow over in storms

Pro Tips

  • Excellent performer in SEQ
  • Plant in September-October for maximum growing season
  • Stake plants in exposed positions

Harvesting Yacon

When ready: Top growth withers and dies back naturally (triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures). DO NOT harvest early. Tubers continue to sweeten as the plant dies back. Wait until ALL foliage is completely dead. This typically takes 6-7 months from planting.

How to harvest: Cut dead stalks to ground level. Use a garden fork inserted 30-40cm from the base. Lift the entire clump carefully. Separate the two types of underground growth: (1) REDDISH RHIZOMES at the crown base, save for replanting; (2) LARGE BROWN TUBERS below. These are for eating. Handle tubers gently as skin is thin. Sun-dry tubers for a few days to sweeten further.

Common Yacon Pests in Subtropical Zones

Insect Damage, risk: MODERATE (score: 54/100)

Organic prevention: Clear mulch away from emergence point until shoots are 15cm tall. Water in morning.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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Common Questions About Yacon

When do you plant yacon in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does yacon grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Aug to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.