Yacon in Zone 6a & 6b
Smallanthus sonchifolius
When to plant yacon in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Yacon needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 28–Mar 7 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Dec 12–Dec 19 (~210 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-6 ft.
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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Yacon needs about 210 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Yacon.
Where to buy yacon seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
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 6b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Yacon in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest