Mauka in Zone 11a & 11b
Mirabilis expansa
Yes, mauka grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Nov 20–Nov 27 and plant out Jan 15–Jan 22.
When to plant mauka in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b 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 | Nov 20–Nov 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 14–Jun 21 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of mauka in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- Birdhouse GourdJan 15–Jan 22
- CucamelonJan 15–Jan 22
- JicamaJan 15–Jan 22
- Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)Jan 15–Jan 22
- Vegetable AmaranthJan 15–Jan 22
Mauka is a rare Andean root crop, related to the four o'clock flower, that stayed completely unknown to science until the 1960s despite having been domesticated for thousands of years. It's grown for dense, cabbagey-flavored roots that are always eaten cooked, never raw.
How mauka fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Mauka planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b 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 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | May 9–May 16 | Oct 6–Oct 13 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Sep 5–Sep 12 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Jul 13–Jul 20 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Jun 14–Jun 21 |
Harvest dates are about 150 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for mauka.
Where to buy mauka seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries mauka 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 mauka" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Mauka in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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