No, the seeds and pods are toxic and should never be consumed.

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest the roots when the vines begin to yellow and die back in late autumn.

Plant guide

Jícama.

Pachyrhizus erosus

Pronounced pak-ih-RY-zus er-OH-sus

Also known as Jicama, Mexican-potato, Yam Bean, potato-bean, yam-bean

Jícama is a vigorous, climbing legume grown primarily for its large, edible, starchy tuberous root. It thrives in warm climates and requires a long growing season to produce a substantial harvest. The plant produces attractive, pea-like flowers before developing its characteristic crunchy roots.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial grown as an annual
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: Up to 5 meters tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 12
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb to ensure good airflow and healthy growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and remove flower buds if you want the plant to focus energy on root development. Watch for signs of wilting or yellowing leaves, which may indicate moisture stress or pests.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during active growth.
Pruning: Pinch back vine tips to encourage bushier growth and remove flowers to prioritize root size.
Repotting: Usually grown in the ground, but if in containers, repot annually if necessary.
Soil: Well-draining, sandy loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual in temperate zones, perennial in tropics.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: All parts of the plant except the tuberous root are toxic if ingested.
Pets: The seeds, stems, and leaves contain rotenone and are toxic to pets.
Children: Keep children away from the seeds and foliage, as they are poisonous if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can be a minor irritant for those with severe hay fever.
Edibility: Only the tuberous root is edible, as the seeds, stems, and leaves contain toxic rotenone.

How to identify it

Vining habit with trifoliate leaves
Large, edible, tuberous root
Blue or white pea-like flowers
Flat, bean-like seed pods

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 0.5 to 1m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, blue, purple, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, Late autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon
WhiteflyUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: In frost prone areas, harvest the roots before the first freeze. In tropical zones, simply mulch the base to protect the roots.
In containers: It is not well suited for containers due to its need for deep soil to develop large roots.

Seed Sowing

Soak seeds in warm water for 12 hours before planting.
Sow seeds 2 cm deep in well draining soil.
Maintain a soil temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius for germination.

Plant jicama near tall crops like corn to maximize vertical space in your garden.

Grows well with

Corn · Corn provides a natural trellis for the jicama vines to climb.
Beans · Both are legumes that benefit from similar soil conditions.

Similar species

Yam bean · A related species also grown for its edible tuberous roots.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Pachyrhizus
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mexico and Central America.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern as it is widely cultivated in tropical regions.

It thrives in warm, frost free climates and utilizes its climbing habit to reach sunlight in dense tropical environments.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary root vegetable, ornamental vine, cover crop

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I eat the beans?: No, the seeds and pods are toxic and should never be consumed.
How do I know when to harvest?: Harvest the roots when the vines begin to yellow and die back in late autumn.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pachyrhizus comes from Greek words meaning thick root, while the species name erosus refers to the eroded appearance of the root surface.

Good to know

Jicama is often called the Mexican turnip.
The name comes from the Nahuatl word xicamatl.
It is a member of the legume family but is grown for its root rather than its beans.
The plant is highly sensitive to frost and will die back quickly in cold weather.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.