Jicama in Zone 9a & 9b
Pachyrhizus erosus
Yes, jicama grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Jan 4–Jan 11 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant jicama in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 4–Jan 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 29–Aug 5 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-15 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of jicama in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMar 1–Mar 8
- Bush BeansFeb 22–Mar 1
- Sweet CornFeb 22–Mar 1
- CucumberFeb 22–Mar 1
- ZucchiniFeb 22–Mar 1
- Winter SquashFeb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Jicama needs about 150 days from transplant to first harvest.
Jicama planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Sep 5–Sep 12 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Jicama in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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