About Oca (Andean Yam)
Oca (Andean Yam) occupies the soil layer — pair with shallow-rooted greens or alliums for pest confusion. Fine seedbeds and spacing on this page reflect in-row planting.
Kūmara slips need warm soil — North Island timing differs from cooler South Island sites.
Good companions
Plants that pair well with Oca (Andean Yam) — tap for their guides. Cited sources appear where research is linked in the matrix.
Beans supply nitrogen for oca tubers — a common pairing in Andean-style polyculture beds in frost-free NZ zones.
CornListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
NasturtiumListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
MintListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
LettuceListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Avoid planting together
Known poor neighbours — spacing apart or rotating beds reduces shared pest and disease pressure.
Growing tips
- Avoid fresh manure on carrot-family roots — it causes forking.
- Loosen soil deeply for taproots; mulch to keep shoulders covered.
- Interplant lettuce or radish in gaps while roots establish.
Use the compatibility matrix
Filter to Oca (Andean Yam) to see green (beneficial), red (incompatible), and grey (neutral) for every pair among 162 plants. Desktop: hover cells. Mobile: tap for details.