Learn how to grow yacon in containers by following the simple methods I have used. The results were a complete surprise, because this can be a huge plant up to 2m or 6ft6in tall.
I planted 2 small tubers in a quality potting mix that had enough nutrients for a few weeks and they just took off. I regularly added liquid seaweed solution and watered as needed.
When it was hot and the plants well grown watering was every second day. I keep them growing until the frost browns off the whole plant. and then harvest begins.
I have grown them in my vegetable garden for a few years and really enjoyed their mildly sweet flavour and a crunch when you bite that is similar to and apple. It does have a slight apple taste.
They grew well in a 20 litre or 5 gallon DIY self-watering bucket. It is a very thirsty plant as you would expect as it produces many tubers that consist mainly of water and fructooligosaccharides.
The yacon grew very well in a self-watering container and as you can see it is a large plant even when confined to a container.
I was totally surprised by the large numbers of tubers found in that bucket. In fact I was unable to get them out and had to cut the bucket in half lengthways.
The bucket on the left shows how the tubers were able to push that hard against the bucket that it deformed the sides. As a result I was unable to remove the tubers without damaging them and had to cut the bucket in half lengthways.
This Is How Yacons Grew In My Garden
I got interested in growing yacons after going to an organic gardening display. I tasted it and thought i want to grow that, so I bought 4 tubers and planted them in the ground.
They grew about 2m / 6ft 6in tall and took from spring until frost in May before I was able to harvest them. The largest of them were about the size of my size 8 shoe.
They were very juicy and had to share them with anyone that wanted to try them. I had way more than we could eat. I just peeled them and ate them like you would an apple.
I put a house brick among them to you an idea of the size of them.
I then went to learn how to grow yacon in containers because of severe water restrictions brough about by droughts.
About Yacons
The yacon is a close relative to the sunflower and jerusalem artichoke. it has been grown in some South American countries for centuries from Columbia to northern Argentina.
This perennial daisy is now grown in countries all over the world. It contains mainly water and fructooligosaccharides. They are good for beneficial bacteria for colon health and an aid to gut health.
A lot of research has been done on the health benefits of this tuber and has a long list that has impressed many nutritionists.
Thank you Finn for writing this post about growing Yacon in a 5 gallon bucket. There are some Youtube videos about it, but yours seems to be the only blog post that I’ve found. I can’t grow Yacon or sunchokes/Jerusalem artichokes in my garden because the gophers get it, so I’m very excited to have further proof that it can be done in a bucket!
Hi Milly, Glad you enjoyed my post about yacons. Have you tried growing them in a 5-gallon bucket? Maybe the gophers might leave the buckets alone.
Cheers, Finn
There are canvas 10gallon bags you can get with velcro flaps on the side that allow you to reach in and harvest the tubers when its time.
That sounds like a great idea, I will check it out. Thank you.