Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus), sometimes called the Mexican turnip or yam bean, is a crunchy, mildly sweet root vegetable more commonly associated with warm climates. Native to Central America, it’s a staple in Mexican and Asian cooking - but can you really grow jicama in the UK?

The short answer: yes, with care. The long answer: it’s not the easiest crop for British gardeners, but with the right approach, patience, and a bit of warmth, it can be a rewarding experiment.

This guide explains whether jicama will grow in the UK, how to grow it successfully, and what to realistically expect from your harvest.

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Can You Grow Jicama in the UK?

Jicama is a tender, frost-sensitive, warm-season crop. It needs:

• A long growing season (around 150 days)

• Warm temperatures (ideally 20–30°C)

• Plenty of sunshine

• Frost-free conditions from spring to autumn

Because of this, jicama isn’t well suited to outdoor growing in most parts of the UK. 

However, it can be grown successfully if you:

• Start seeds early indoors

• Grow plants in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or conservatory

• Use large containers or deep raised beds

• Protect plants from cold at all times

For southern England and sheltered gardens, outdoor growing may work in an exceptional summer - but it’s a gamble.

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Where to Grow Jicama in the UK

Best option: Greenhouse or Polytunnel

A greenhouse gives you:

• Higher average temperatures

• Protection from wind and cold nights

• A longer growing season

This dramatically improves your chances of forming decent-sized tubers.

Containers vs open ground

Jicama develops large underground tubers, so it needs space:

• Use deep containers (at least 30–40cm deep)

• Or grow in raised beds with loose, well-drained soil

• Avoid shallow pots - they restrict tuber development

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How to Grow Jicama in the UK

1. Sowing Jicama Seeds

Start seeds indoors in March or early April.

• Use individual pots to avoid root disturbance

• Sow seeds 2–3cm deep

• Keep compost warm (20–25°C)

• Germination takes 7–14 days

A heated propagator is very helpful at this stage.

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2. Potting On & Early Care

Once seedlings appear:

• Place them in a bright, warm position

• Keep compost moist but not waterlogged

• Pot on gradually as roots fill the container

Jicama plants grow as vigorous climbing vines, so provide support early — bamboo canes or trellis work well.

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3. Planting Out (or Moving to the Greenhouse)

Move plants to their final position after all risk of frost has passed, usually late May to early June.

• Greenhouse temperatures should stay above 10°C at night

• Space plants well - they grow large

• Ensure soil is rich but free-draining

Avoid planting outdoors unless you have a very sheltered, sunny spot and are prepared to protect plants on cool nights.

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4. Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly, especially in hot weather

• Avoid letting compost dry out completely

• Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertiliser

Too much nitrogen will encourage leaf growth at the expense of tubers, so avoid high-nitrogen feeds later in the season.

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5. Flowering & Pruning (Important!)

Jicama will produce attractive blue or purple flowers — but UK growers should remove them.

Why?

• Flowering diverts energy away from tuber formation

• All above-ground parts and seeds are toxic

• Removing flowers improves root size

Pinch out flowers as soon as they appear.

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Harvesting Jicama in the UK

Jicama is ready to harvest in late September or October, before the first frosts.

• Lift tubers carefully to avoid damage

• Tubers should be crisp, firm, and pale

• Small harvests are common in the UK - even grapefruit-sized roots are a success

If frost is forecast, harvest immediately - cold will damage the tubers.

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What Does Jicama Taste Like?

Fresh jicama has:

• A crisp, apple-like crunch

• Mild sweetness

• Juicy, refreshing texture

It’s excellent raw in salads, slaws, stir-fries, and salsas — especially rewarding if you’ve grown it yourself in a UK climate.

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Is Growing Jicama in the UK Worth It?

Pros

• Unusual and interesting crop

• Excellent flavour when fresh

• Great greenhouse experiment

Cons

• Long growing season

• Needs warmth and protection

• Yields are often modest

For adventurous gardeners and greenhouse growers, jicama is a fun challenge. If you’re looking for reliable root crops, potatoes or beetroot are far easier - but few are as satisfying as successfully growing jicama in Britain.

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Jicama isn’t a traditional UK vegetable, but with early sowing, plenty of warmth, and realistic expectations, it can be grown here. Think of it as a greenhouse curiosity rather than a staple crop - and you’ll enjoy the process far more.

If you love trying unusual vegetables and have a bit of protected growing space, jicama is well worth a go.