Yacon in Zone 9a & 9b
Smallanthus sonchifolius
Yes, yacon grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 21–Dec 28 and plant out Mar 8–Mar 15.
When to plant yacon 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 | Dec 21–Dec 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 8–Mar 15 |
| Estimated harvest | Oct 4–Oct 11 (~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 9b
These go outside within two weeks of yacon 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
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Yacon needs about 210 days from transplant to first harvest.
Yacon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Yacon in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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