Yacon in Zone 11a & 11b
Smallanthus sonchifolius
Yes, yacon grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Nov 6–Nov 13 and plant out Jan 22–Jan 29.
When to plant yacon 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 6–Nov 13 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 22–Jan 29 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 20–Aug 27 (~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 11b
These go outside within two weeks of yacon in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Ground Cherry (Husk Cherry)Jan 22–Jan 29
- TomatilloJan 22–Jan 29
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- Birdhouse GourdJan 15–Jan 22
- CucamelonJan 15–Jan 22
- JicamaJan 15–Jan 22
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 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.
Yacon 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 | 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 | Dec 5–Dec 12 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Sep 18–Sep 25 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | 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 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Yacon in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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