{"id":331,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:07","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=331"},"modified":"2025-08-03T21:29:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T21:29:00","slug":"yacon","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/yacon\/","title":{"rendered":"Yacon"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Polymnia sonchifolia<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Peruvian ground apple, Apple of the earth<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia<\/i>) is a tall, clumping perennial<\/b> with lush, sunflower-like leaves and stems that reach up to 2\u202fm high. It\u2019s related to sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes, and you\u2019ll notice a family resemblance in its growth habit.<\/p>\r\n

Climate:<\/b> Loves subtropical and temperate climates<\/b>, but will tolerate cooler conditions if winters aren\u2019t too harsh.
Where it grows naturally:<\/b> Native to the Andes of South America<\/b>, where it\u2019s been grown for centuries as a staple root crop.
Sun & soil:<\/b> Prefers full sun for best yields but handles partial shade. Likes deep, loose, well-drained soil<\/b>, though it will still produce in less-than-ideal spots. It won\u2019t tolerate waterlogged ground for long.
Water:<\/b> Drought hardy once established, but regular watering will bulk up your harvest.
Planting season:<\/b> Plant tubers in spring<\/b>, once the soil has warmed.
Propagation:<\/b> Couldn\u2019t be easier \u2013 plant a chunk of tuber or a crown piece and it\u2019ll reshoot. In frost-prone areas, dig up and store some roots in a cool, dry spot to replant the following spring.<\/p>\r\n

Tip:<\/b> Yacon will also grow happily in big pots<\/b> \u2013 just refresh the soil yearly, or it\u2019ll become potbound. It\u2019s also attractive enough to sit in an ornamental garden bed and be mistaken for an exotic foliage plant.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Yacon is surprisingly nutritious for such a carefree plant<\/b>:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • A good source of vitamins A, B & C<\/b>, plus minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.<\/li>\r\n
  • The tubers are rich in inulin<\/b> \u2013 a type of natural sugar our bodies can\u2019t digest, meaning they\u2019re low-calorie and great for diabetics<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    In traditional medicine, Yacon has been used to support digestion, balance blood sugar, and feed healthy gut bacteria<\/b> thanks to its prebiotic fibres.

    Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    Yac\u00f3n Tea:<\/strong> Made from dried leaves \u2013 traditionally consumed in the Andes to reduce blood sugar<\/strong>.
    Fresh tuber slices:<\/strong> Eaten raw for digestive support<\/strong>.
    Yac\u00f3n Syrup:<\/strong> Concentrated extract used as a natural sweetener<\/strong> for diabetics.

    <\/p>\r\n

    Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    Yacon tubers are crisp, sweet, and refreshing<\/b> \u2013 somewhere between an apple, a nashi pear, and mild watermelon in texture and taste.<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    • Eat raw:<\/b> Peel and slice into salads or straight from the garden \u2013 kids love them!<\/li>\r\n
    • Cooked:<\/b> Roast, bake, or toss into soups and curries. The skin slips off easily after cooking.<\/li>\r\n
    • Storage:<\/b> Tubers store in the fridge for a couple of weeks, but they taste best fresh.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      \"\"\r\n
      Eat Yacon tubers fresh or baked.<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

      Simple recipe Ideas<\/b><\/p>\r\n

      – Raw Crunch Salad:<\/b> Peel, slice, and mix with apple and lime for a refreshing snack.
      – Roasted Yacon Chips:<\/b> Cut into wedges, drizzle with olive oil, roast until golden and sweet.
      – Stir-Fried Shoots:<\/b> Toss spring shoots in a wok with garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a quick green side.
      – Winter Soup Thickener:<\/b> Grate a tuber into soups and stews for natural sweetness and body.
      – Juicer Boost:<\/b> Add peeled Yacon to the juicer with carrot and ginger for a sweet, hydrating drink.

      <\/p>\r\n

      Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n
      • Mulch & soil builder:<\/b> The leafy tops can be cut down and used as mulch, feeding your soil.<\/li>\r\n
      • Animal fodder:<\/b> Chickens, goats, and pigs love the leaves and trimmings.<\/li>\r\n
      • Ornamental value:<\/b> With its tall stems and lush leaves, Yacon looks at home even in a flower garden.

        <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Why it\u2019s a survival plant:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        Yacon almost grows itself, returns year after year<\/b>, and produces huge, low-maintenance harvests<\/b> of sweet, versatile tubers. Even if you forget about it, you can still dig up treasure every winter.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Yacon is a hardy perennial tuber<\/b> that grows up to 2\u202fmetres tall, producing masses of crisp, sweet, juicy roots each year. Easy to grow and almost care-free, it\u2019s a brilliant survival plant<\/b> that provides both food and novelty value in the garden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":213,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[39,41,42],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-331","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","7":"product_cat-mulch-plants","8":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t