Yacon in Zone 10a & 10b
Smallanthus sonchifolius
Yes, yacon grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors Dec 5–Dec 12 and plant out Feb 20–Feb 27.
When to plant yacon in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Dec 5–Dec 12 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 20–Feb 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 18–Sep 25 (~210 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-6 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of yacon in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bush BeansMar–Apr
- Winter SquashMar
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Feb 20–Feb 27
- Lima BeanFeb 20–Feb 27
- TomatilloFeb 20–Feb 27
- AchiraFeb 13–Feb 20
Yacon is a tall Andean sunflower relative grown for its large, crisp, mildly sweet storage roots, usually sliced and eaten raw like fruit rather than cooked.
How yacon fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Yacon needs about 210 days from transplant to first harvest.
Yacon planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 16–May 23 | Dec 12–Dec 19 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 1–May 8 | Nov 27–Dec 4 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | Nov 11–Nov 18 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | Oct 4–Oct 11 |
| 10a & 10b (your zone) | Dec 5–Dec 12 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Sep 18–Sep 25 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 6–Nov 13 | Jan 22–Jan 29 | Aug 20–Aug 27 |
Harvest dates are about 210 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for yacon.
Where to buy yacon seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries yacon seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing yacon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Yacon in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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