Jicama in Zone 8a & 8b
Pachyrhizus erosus
Yes, jicama grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 11–Feb 18 and plant out Apr 8–Apr 15.
When to plant jicama in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 | Feb 11–Feb 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 5–Sep 12 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-15 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of jicama in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- Sweet CornApr 1–Apr 8
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
- ZucchiniApr 1–Apr 8
- Winter SquashApr 1–Apr 8
Jicama is worth knowing two things about before you plant it: it needs a very long season, and most of the plant is poisonous.
How jicama fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Jicama needs about 150 days from transplant to first harvest.
Jicama planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | 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 | 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 jicama.
Where to buy jicama seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's jicama seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing jicama" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Jicama in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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