Yacon
Smallanthus sonchifolius
Yacon is a perennial plant grown in the mid-elevation Andes for its crisp, sweet-tasting tuberous root; delicious eaten fresh. The texture and flavor is a cross between a fresh apple, watermelon and celery. Aboveground, the plant looks like a sunflower.
In Northern areas, plant after the last frost and harvest after the first few frosts have caused the tops to die back. While usable-sized tubers develop fairly early, they taste much sweeter after some frost. Yacon has two types of tubers, the edible storage tubers and the much smaller edible propagation tubers which grow just under the soil surface. Our plants are propagated by tissue culture. USDA Zones 5-9.
USDA Zone: 5-9
Grow Height: 5'- 8'
Sun: Full Sun
Ripening Time: N/A
Pollination: N/A
Read our Tuber Growing Guide