Mauka in Zone 9a & 9b
Mirabilis expansa
When to plant mauka in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Mauka 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: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Mauka needs about 150 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Mauka.
Where to buy mauka seeds
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 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Mauka in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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