Overview

Embark on a unique gardening adventure with this healthy yacon root live plant. Also known as Smallanthus sonchifolius or Bolivian Sunroot, Yacon is a fascinating and increasingly popular perennial plant cherished for its sweet, crisp, and juicy tubers. Originating from the Andes, these tubers offer a delightful apple-like crunch with a subtly sweet flavor, making them a versatile addition to both savory and sweet dishes. This offering provides a vigorous starter plug, typically 2-6 inches tall, ready to be transplanted into your garden. While the photos may depict mature plants, you will receive a young, robust start, ensuring a strong foundation for future growth and a bountiful harvest. Growing yacon root is a rewarding experience, providing a unique edible crop that is both delicious and beneficial.

The Yacon plant itself is quite ornamental, with large, attractive leaves that can reach impressive sizes, creating a lush, tropical-like presence in your garden. Beyond its culinary appeal, yacon is known for its high concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a type of pre-biotic fiber that supports gut health. This makes the bolivian sunroot plant not just a treat for the taste buds but also a healthful addition to your diet. Get ready to enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your very own fresh yacon tubers straight from your backyard.

Key Benefits

Cultivating a yacon root live plant brings numerous advantages, combining culinary delight with health benefits and an engaging gardening experience. These plants are relatively easy to grow and offer a unique harvest.

• Unique Edible Tubers: Enjoy sweet, crisp, and juicy tubers with an apple-like texture, perfect for salads, stir-fries, or raw snacking. A versatile ingredient that adds a distinctive flavor to various dishes.
• Prebiotic Properties: Yacon tubers are rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a natural prebiotic that promotes beneficial gut bacteria and supports digestive health.
• Ornamental Garden Addition: The large, lush foliage of the Smallanthus sonchifolius plant provides an attractive, tropical aesthetic to your garden space throughout the growing season.
• Sustainable & Perennial Growth: As a perennial, yacon can be harvested annually, often producing larger yields each subsequent year from the same rootstock, making it a sustainable choice for your edible garden.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, yacon plants are quite resilient and require minimal attention beyond regular watering and proper soil conditions, making growing yacon root accessible for many gardeners.
• Adaptable to Various Climates: While preferring warmer conditions, yacon can be successfully grown in a wide range of climates, particularly in regions with a long growing season before the first frost.
• Healthy Sweetener Alternative: The syrup extracted from yacon tubers can serve as a natural, low-glycemic sweetener, offering a healthier option compared to refined sugars.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Nurturing your yacon root live plant to maturity and a bountiful harvest is straightforward with the right care. Yacon thrives in conditions that mimic its Andean origins, favoring warmth and consistent moisture. Upon receiving your yacon starter plug, it’s best to plant it in a sunny location after the last frost. For optimal growth and root production, aim for full sun exposure, meaning at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate light partial shade, this may result in reduced yields. Choosing the right spot is crucial for a successful harvest of your bolivian sunroot plant.

The ideal soil for yacon is loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. A pH between 6.0–7.0 is perfect. Avoid compacted or heavy clay soils, as these can hinder root development and lead to waterlogging. Amending your soil with compost or aged manure before planting will provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure. Consistent watering is vital, especially during the early growth stages and dry spells. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Yacon thrives in warm conditions, with optimal growth occurring between 65–85°F (18–29°C). Frost will kill the top growth, so plan to harvest your tubers before the first hard frost. Fertilize periodically with a balanced organic fertilizer to support vigorous growth and tuber development when growing yacon root.

Size & Details

You will receive one healthy yacon root live plant, provided as a robust starter plug. These young plants typically measure between 2-6 inches tall upon arrival, ready for immediate transplanting into your garden or a larger container. The plant will not include a pot, as it is shipped as a plug to ensure safe and efficient transport. Yacon plants are fast growers, and with proper care, their impressive foliage can reach heights of 4-6 feet or more in a single growing season, creating a lush canopy. The tubers, which are the primary harvest, mature underground throughout the summer and fall.

Harvesting usually occurs in late fall, after the first light frost has caused the top growth to die back, but before a hard freeze. This allows the tubers to develop their full sweetness and size. Each Smallanthus sonchifolius plant can produce several pounds of tubers. The plant’s vigorous growth habit makes it an excellent choice for a productive edible garden. Expect to enjoy your first harvest within one growing season from planting your yacon starter plug.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Your yacon root live plant starter plug will be 2-6 inches tall upon arrival. With proper care, the mature plant can reach an impressive height of 4-6 feet or more in a single growing season, producing large, lush foliage.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While yacon can be started indoors in colder climates, it is primarily an outdoor plant that thrives in full sun for best tuber production. It requires a long growing season before frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For abundant yields of your bolivian sunroot plant, it requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate light partial shade, but yields may be reduced.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, yacon is considered relatively easy to care for. Once established, it mainly requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and warmth. It’s a great option for gardeners looking to try something new.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive one healthy yacon starter plug, a young and vigorous plant ready for transplanting. It will be carefully packaged to ensure its safe arrival.
• Q: How long until it produces tubers? A: Yacon tubers typically mature and are ready for harvest in late fall, after a full growing season and often after the first light frost. You can expect your first harvest within one growing season from planting.
• Q: What’s the best time to plant this yacon root live plant? A: The best time to plant your yacon starter plug outdoors is in spring, after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
• Q: Can I grow yacon in a container? A: Yes, growing yacon root in large containers (at least 15-20 gallons) is possible, especially in areas with shorter growing seasons or where garden space is limited. Ensure adequate drainage and consistent moisture.
• Q: What type of soil does it prefer? A: Yacon thrives in loose, well-draining, and fertile soil with a pH between 6.0–7.0. Amending the soil with compost or aged manure is highly beneficial.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The top growth of the yacon plant is not frost-hardy and will die back. However, the tubers can be overwintered in the ground in USDA zones 8-10 with mulching, or dug up and stored in colder zones to replant next spring.