Dioscorea Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 24th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Dioscorea plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Dioscorea features twining vines and heart-shaped leaves. It's a striking choice for vertical garden accents.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers partial to full sunlight and well-drained soil. Use a climbing support to enhance its growth.
- General Care: Regular watering and annual fertilization ensure robust health. Prune when needed to control growth.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Yam vine is manageable for beginners. Provide sturdy support and monitor water levels for best results.
Cinnamon Vine, Yam, & Colic Root: Cultivation & Garden Use
One of the beauty's of the half hardy perennial Dioscorea is its cinnamon fragranced flowers.
These bloom anytime from spring to autumn (variety specific) with small white flowers.
They are climbing plants and have beautiful heart shaped leaves.
These qualities lead to one of the common names for Dioscorea, Cinnamon vine; other names include Chinese Yam.
Dioscorea oppositifolia - Chinese Yam by Bob Richmond; creative commons.
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Dioscorea Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Yam, Cinnamon Vine, Colic Root, Cushcush, Elephant's Foot, Air Potato. Yam: Ornamental; Chinese; Japanese; Wild; White; Purple; Winged; Fourleaf.Family: Dioscoreaceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 80 to 470 inches (200 to 1200 cm).
Native: Tropics and warm temperate regions.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 10. As a perennial in zones 9 and 10.
Flowers: Spring, summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Inconspicuous green/yellow or small white. Fragrant (cinnamon).
Foliage: Vine/Liana. Forms bulbils. Spiral. Attractive heart-shaped leaves.
Sow Outside: Spacing: 12 to 40 inches (30 to 100 cm).
Seeds: 1/8 inch. Early to mid-autumn.
Tubers: Bury 3 inches (8cm) deep. Plant following the last frost.
Sow Inside: Germination time: three to six weeks. Temperature 72°F (22°C). Seven to eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors three weeks after the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Deep soil. Provide trellis. Occasional feed. Regular watering. In areas of frost bring in tubers over the winter. Propagate: Plant bulbils or by dividing or cutting in spring or autumn.
How to Grow Cinnamon Vine, Elephant's Foot, and Yams (Dioscorea)
Cinnamon vine can be grown from either tubers or seeds. The seeds should be planted at a depth of 3 mm (1/8 th inch) at the end of September or on October, whereas tubers should be buried at a depth of 8 cm (3 inches) following the last frost of spring.
Dioscorea can be grown in either a partially shaded or sunny area of the garden that has good drainage and a deep soil.
Caring for Dioscorea Plants in the Garden
As Dioscorea are climbers they should be provided a trellis to grow upon.
You can grow Cinnamon vine seedlings indoors first, they take about three to six weeks to germinate at 21 to 24 degrees Centigrade.
They should be moved outdoors in the middle of spring. Once growing provide plenty of water.
If you require more plants then cuttings can be took, or the plant can be divided in the autumn.
Common Questions
How many members does the Dioscorea genus have?
The Dioscorea genus currently includes about 600 species.
Do members of Dioscorea make a good garden or landscaping plant?
While some Dioscorea species, like the Yam, have useful tubers, they are generally not used for ornamental gardening due to their vigorous growth.
Which Dioscorea species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Dioscorea alata (Purple Yam) is the most commonly grown species for its edible tuber.
Are members of the Dioscorea plant genus fragrant?
Most Dioscorea species are not known for their fragrance, but for their edible tubers.
What is the perfect location to grow Dioscorea?
Dioscorea prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil and sufficient space to grow.
Is Dioscorea invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Some Dioscorea species, like the air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), are considered invasive in southern states of the USA.
How do I remove Dioscorea plants from my garden?
Removing Dioscorea involves digging up the entire plant, including the tubers, to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Dioscorea genus includes around 600 species of flowering plants, many of which are known as yams. Native to warmer regions worldwide, these plants are typically twining vines with tuberous roots, and some species are important agricultural crops in tropical regions.
Yams prefer a sunny location and well-drained soil. They can be grown from pieces of the tuber, planted in early spring. The vines need a sturdy support to climb, and the tubers are typically harvested in late summer or fall, after the foliage has died back. Care should be taken to distinguish edible yams from other similar plants, which may be toxic.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Dioscorea plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ vine growing guides: How to grow Medeira vine and Rhodochiton plants.
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