Wild Yam Seeds,Dioscorea villosa- Perennial, Zones 4-8. - fast-growing vine

5 Seeds

Wild yam, or Dioscorea villosa, charms many gardeners with its twining growth habit and large, heart-shaped leaves. Although it is native to the eastern United States, wild yam will grow anywhere within U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 8 if it is provided with a moist, partially shaded bed. The seedlings emerge quickly but are sensitive to sudden temperature changes, so it is best to grow them in a sheltered place before planting out.

Combine 6 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite in a bucket. Stir them until the perlite is evenly distributed throughout the soil. Add water and stir until the mix feels moderately moist.
Pack the soil and perlite mixture into the cells of a six-pack planting container. Firm the soil so the surface is even. Poke a shallow, 1/16-inch-deep depression into the center of the soil in each cell.

Place two wild yam seeds into the depressions in each of the cells. Sprinkle a pinch of potting soil onto each set of seeds so they are barely covered but still partially exposed to the light, which is required for germination.

Place the planting container in a sheltered location offering bright sunlight but no direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Apply bottom heat to the six-pack planting container using a greenhouse heat mat set to 68 Fahrenheit.

Water the wild yam seeds whenever their soil feels mostly dry in the top inch. Apply water with a spray bottle to keep from overwatering. Spray the soil until the top 1/2 inch feels wet.

Watch for germination three weeks after sowing the wild yam seeds. Pluck out and discard the weakest seedling from each cell, if both wild yam seeds successfully germinate.

Grow the wild yam seedlings under the same conditions as they had during germination until they grow to 4 inches in height. Discontinue use of the heat mat unless daytime temperatures fall below 55 F for an extended period of time.

Transplant the wild yam seedlings into individual 6-inch pots filled with potting soil once they outgrow their six-pack planting container. Keep them in a sheltered location such as against an east- or south-facing wall until the following spring. Plant them out in the garden against a trellis once soil temperatures reach 65 F.