Can You Grow Jicama in Florida?

Culture

• Jicama is native to Mexico and South America and needs a long, hot growing season to produce tubers. Sandy loam soils and regular rainfall -- both of which are common in Florida -- are ideal for jicama. In frost-free areas, the vines may grow to 20 feet or more in and the tubers can weigh up to 50 pounds. However, the tubers are best to eat when they weigh just a few pounds.

Planting

• From seed, the plants need at least five months of warm weather to form harvest-size tubers. Cool weather in fall will slow down tuber formation even if there is no frost that kills the plant. In northern Florida, start the seeds indoors in winter to give the plants a head start. In southern Florida, sow them directly in the ground when soil temperatures have reached 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed can be soaked in water for 24 hours prior to planting to speed germination.

Care

• To give the best chance of success for growing jicama in Florida, prevent any weed competition so the plants can grow as quickly as possible to mature before there is any chance of cool weather. Removing any flowers that form will ensure that the vines put all their energy into developing tubers rather than seed pods. Row covers can also be used in spring and fall to extend the period of warmth needed to grow jicama.

Harvest Quality

• Research on jicama production in the United States indicates that the plants do not only need frost-free weather, but also require short day length to produce crisp, sweet non-fibrous tubers. This combination of traits is a characteristic of tropical latitudes, but in temperate climates short day length coincides with cold weather. The southernmost parts of Florida meet the climatic requirements to consistently produce good-quality jicama. The plants can easily be grown in the rest of the state, but the eating quality of the tubers may be variable.