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Perennial herbaceous plant with edible leaves and tubers, but mostly grown for its tubers. In its Andean homelands it is a staple crop, second only to potato. One tuber will produce a mound of attractive, shamrock-like foliage 30 – 40 cm high, and up to 60 cm wide.
9cm pot – please note you are receiving a potted rooted tuber with leaves as per photo 4.
Photos: Kahikatea Farm
NZ Yams enjoy full sun and average soil, although they are tolerant of poor soil and are grown following potatoes in crop rotations in their homelands. They prefer cooler damper climates, but can tolerate hotter climates if the overnight temperatures are cool, so this makes them suitable for most parts of the country. They need a long growing season – which is why purchasing potted plants is great as it gives you a 2-3 month head start. If you don’t have garden space or are worried about them spreading you can grow them in a large pot – just pot them on when you the pot you receive from us has filled out. However if you have them in the ground, you can partially bury the trailing stems to encourage larger crops of tubers.
Tubers form in late summer once there are less than 12 hours of daylight, and can be harvested once the tops die down. Although a frost will kill the green tops, the tubers are hardy to about -5 degrees C, and if your temperatures do not go below this they can be left un the ground until required. Otherwise they can be harvested and stored in a cool spot. When first harvested the taste is tangy and lemony due to the oxalic acid content, but this can be reduced by exposing the tubers to UV rays in sunlight, which breaks down the acid and increases the sugar content.
NZ Yams are a great crop for home garden and food forest alike as they are so easy care and untroubled by pest and disease.
Let food be thy medicine – NZ yams are high in carbohydrates, folate and vitamins A and B6.
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
