Key Features
- Produces brown-skinned, crisp underground roots commonly known as jicama
- Vigorous warm-season climbing vine with lush green foliage
- Develops attractive white to purple flowers as the plant matures
- Roots are commonly enjoyed fresh in salads, slaws, and vegetable dishes
- A distinctive edible garden crop for gardeners seeking unusual vegetables
Growing Benefits
- Adds an uncommon root vegetable to your home garden
- Provides an engaging long-season growing experience
- Suitable for warm climates and frost-free growing conditions
- Produces crisp underground roots for fresh culinary use
- Creates attractive vertical growth when trained on sturdy support
Seed Specifications
- Common Name: Brown Yam Bean, Jicama, Mexican Turnip
- Botanical Name: Pachyrhizus erosus; Plant Type: Warm-season perennial commonly cultivated as an annual
- Colors: Green foliage, white to purple flowers, brown-skinned roots with white flesh; Height: Vines can grow approximately twenty feet or more with suitable support
- Sunlight: Full sun; Soil: Fertile, loose, well-drained soil; Water: Regular, even moisture without waterlogging
- Germination Time: Approximately seven to fourteen days; Sowing Depth: About one inch; Spacing: Approximately twelve to eighteen inches; Growing Zones: Best suited to warm, frost-free Zones ten to twelve and grown as an annual in cooler areas; Flowering/Maturity: Approximately four to five months for mature roots under favorable conditions; Uses: Fresh eating, salads, slaws, stir-fries, cooking, and edible gardens
Growing Tips
- Soak seeds briefly before planting to help soften their firm outer coating.
- Wait until the soil and weather are consistently warm before sowing.
- Give vines a sturdy trellis or support to encourage organized vertical growth.
- Remove flowers when appropriate to encourage greater energy toward underground root development.
Seed Storage
Keep Brown Yam Bean Seeds in a cool, dry, dark place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Store unused seeds in an airtight or moisture-resistant container. Protect them from excessive heat and humidity.
Important: Yam bean seeds are not edible. They contain naturally occurring compounds that make them unsuitable for consumption. Only the properly cultivated underground root is commonly eaten.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Brown yam bean is commonly called jicama or Mexican turnip.
- The plant belongs to the legume family and develops a large underground storage root.
- The mature root is known for its crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor.
- Unlike the edible root, the seeds should not be consumed and should be handled appropriately.