Greater yam

Dioscorea alata

Dioscorea

Dioscoreaceae

Tropical Plants

Zone 5–10

Greater yam is a vigorous tropical vine that needs a sturdy trellis or support structure and rich, well-draining soil in a warm, sunny location. Water regularly to keep the soil moist and fertilize monthly during the growing season for the best tuber development. Harvest the large, edible tubers after the foliage dies back in autumn or early winter.

Care Requirements

Care Level

Moderate

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Growth Rate

Moderate

Mature Height

12″ – 36″

Soil

loam

Life Cycle

Perennial

Spacing

24″

Watering Schedule

Every 5-7 Days • Water Deeply To Keep Soil Consistently Moist But Not Waterlogged; Reduce Watering As Vines Mature

Temperature

-20° – 90°F

Mature Spread

up to 18″

Root Depth

Medium

Foliage

Medium

Propagation: Seed

Ecology & Origin

Native to

Alabama

Andaman Is.

Angola

Assam

Bahamas

Bangladesh

Belize

Benin

Bismarck Archipelago

Bolivia

Borneo

Brazil West-Central

Burkina

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Caroline Is.

Central African Repu

Chad

China South-Central

Attracts

🐝 Bees

🐝 Butterflies

Safety & Use

🍳 Culinary

⚕ Medicinal

Sources

Data: trefle

Image: trefle.io — Taken Dec 1, 2022 by prasantahembram (cc-by-sa)

Hardiness Zones

Check your zone:

Available From (0)

No nurseries currently have this species in stock.