The pods contain 1-7 small dark kidney shaped seeds about the size of a pinhead. The plant becomes dormant during the winter and sheds its leaves. The plant has a deep taproot and also produces horizontal stolons which spread out from the main plant just under the soil surface. In the spring, the plant produces new shoots from buds on the underground stolons. The development of 'runners' or horizontal stolons indicates that the root system has developed to the stage where it can be harvested.
Commercial propagation is by seed or by cuttings from the stolons.
The seed has a hard seed coat and needs to be scarified prior to sowing. Germination and early seedling growth is often slow so propagation from root cuttings is preferred. Root cuttings 20-40 cm long are used and these can be planted vertically into the soil. Planting out can be done successfully in Queensland during spring, summer and early autumn. As with any root crop, a loose friable soil is preferable.