Chinese Yam Plant Care
Dioscorea polystachya Turcz.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dioscorea polystachya or Chinese yam, also called cinnamon-vine, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family. It is sometimes called Chinese potato or by its Korean name ma.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Yam?
Water Chinese Yam every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Chinese Yam?
Chinese Yam (Dioscorea polystachya) belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family within the Dioscorea genus. Chinese Yam is also known as Nagaimo, Cinnamon Vine, Air Potato.
Chinese Yam displays a vining, climbing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Chinese Yam produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Yam?
Dioscorea polystachya requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chinese Yam Need?
Chinese Yam thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Chinese Yam in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Yam Prefer?
Dioscorea polystachya grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Chinese Yam prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Yam?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Yam to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Yam?
Feed Chinese Yam every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Chinese Yam?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese Yam?
Chinese Yam can be propagated through tubers, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to air potato plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Yam Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Yam, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Chinese Yam?
Chinese Yam is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Chinese Yam Need?
Chinese Yam grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Yam as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Yam is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dioscorea genus — compare its care with other Dioscorea species on PlantoScan.
Dioscorea is part of the Dioscoreaceae plant family — browse all Dioscoreaceae genera and species.
Chinese Yam thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Dioscorea Species
Other Dioscorea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dioscorea polystachya Turcz., family Dioscoreaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 7: 158 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Yam, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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