How to grow Jicama (Yam Bean) in Australia

Grow this climbing legume in full sun in loose, well-drained soil in a long warm season. Provide a trellis for the vines and water regularly through growth.

At a glance

Difficulty: Intermediate
Sun: Full sun
Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 2 days
Spacing: 30 cm
Time to harvest: 150 days
Time to germinate: 14 days
Soil pH: 6 to 7
Frost tolerance: Frost tender

When to sow by region

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	September to November
Northern Rivers NSW	September to November
Sydney & Coastal NSW	October and November	Marginal. Sow Oct to Nov in the warmest spot; jicama needs five frost free months and a hot summer for the tubers to size up.
Melbourne & Victoria	October and November	Marginal. Sow Oct to Nov once the soil is warm. Jicama needs five or more frost free months and a warm summer for the tubers to size up.
Adelaide & SA	October and November	Marginal. Sow Oct to Nov in the warmest spot; it needs 5 hot months and is lifted before the cold. Expect small tubers.
Perth & WA	September to November
Tasmania	Not suited	Unsuitable. Jicama needs five or more warm frost free months; Tasmanian summers are too short and cool for the tubers.
Canberra & ACT	Not suited	Not viable. Jicama needs five or more frost free months, and the Canberra season is too short for the tubers to size up.
North Queensland	All year	Sow any month in the tropics. Allow 6 to 9 months for good tubers and lift them in dry weather.
Darwin & Top End	April to June	Sow Apr to Jun. The NT Government sowing calendar lists yam bean for the early dry season, about 20 weeks to harvest.

Varieties

Jicama (Yam Bean)

Companion planting

Good companions

Harvest and storage

Harvest tip

Lift the tubers once they swell to a good size, before heavy frost. Fork them out gently and discard the pods and tops, which are not edible.

Storage

Unwashed tuber in a cool, dry spot for 1 to 2 months.