Murnong (Microseris lanceolata) is a tuberous native yam which has a distinct nutty-taste when roasted.

Very easy to grow, producing beautiful, yellow flowers. A staple food source for many Aboriginal communities across southern Australia, it became nearly extinct through the introduction of grazing.

Once very prevalent across Victoria, it is now endangered and can sometimes be found in secluded woodlands.

Climate Zones: Temperate, Sub-Tropical, Cool, Arid.

Find your climate zone here.

When the flowers blossom in Autumn, the tuber roots are ready for harvest. Simply dig them up and enjoy. In the wild, this perennial species will tolerate a sandy soil and little water. But for best results in a home garden, use a rich and loamy soil, watering well during the Summer.

Murnongs prefer daily watering during period of warm weather, and reduced watering in cooler times. Daily watering when conditions are dry, and if in a terracotta pot, be mindful of soil dampness at all times as the clay pulls moisture from the soil.

Water monthly with a seaweed solution like seasol.

Use premium, high-grade potting mix. Water the tube your murnong arrives in before transferring. Do not break the soil around the roots. Transplant the murnong by squeezing the tube at the bottom, and the top, on all four sides.

Do not pull the plant by the leaves, instead flip upside down and wait for it to slide out by squeezing the tube. Ideal pot size is between 140mm and 300mm. Anything smaller or larger can cause issues. After planting, water generously with a seaweed solution or liquid compost.

Planting in soil

Murnongs tolerate all soil conditions except high saline soil. Dig a hole the same size as the tube your murnong arrives in. Break up the soil at the base of the planting hole. Mix in compost and slow releasing native plant fertilizer.

Ensure the soil level of the plant is slightly higher than the ground to allow for sinkage. Water well with liquid compost or seaweed.

Planting from seed

A murnong plant alone is expensive if you don't use it's seeds to grow new, delicious tubers. We recommend not to harvest your first murnong for the first 2 years, and instead use it as a mother plant to grow more.

We've turned 3 murnong plants into 300! Sow the seeds of the murnong plant in March/April. Fertilizing at this stage with a phosphorus rich fertilizer leads to larger tubers (in line with Aboriginal burning and nutrient-cycle practises).

Uprooting the tubers and seperating them and replanting is far more successful that seed-sown planting which has low germination rates, but it carries its own risks.

A tuberous native yam which has a distinct nutty-taste when roasted.