How to Grow Sweet Potatoes for Beginners
Learn how to grow sweet potatoes for beginners with this simple guide, and enjoy growing your own tasty, healthy sweet potatoes right at home.
With some easy tips from Gardening 101, you’ll learn how easy and fun it is to grow your favorite foods right in your own backyard.
Things to Know About Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are not only healthy but also a great addition to any garden. Even planting just a few can give you a generous harvest, letting you enjoy them for months.
While they might seem similar to regular potatoes, they’re not actually related. Sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family, whereas regular potatoes are part of the nightshade family. They thrive in the South because of its warm climate, but gardeners in northern areas can grow specific varieties with some extra care.
Though orange sweet potatoes are the most common, there are also varieties in white, yellow, and even purple. They grow slowly, so it’s best to plant them in the spring when the weather begins to warm up. Sweet potatoes need about four months of warm temperatures to grow properly.
These hardy vegetables (Ipomoea batatas) are surprisingly easy to grow. They love warm soil and weather, are drought-tolerant, and tend to have fewer issues with pests or diseases.
If you’re in the South, they grow easily in the ground or raised beds. For northern gardeners, planting them in sandy soil or mulching raised beds with black plastic to retain warmth works well. You can even grow sweet potatoes in containers, making them a versatile addition to any garden.
Sweet potatoes are low in calories but packed with nutrients like beta-carotene, protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Plus, they store really well, so you can keep enjoying them long after your growing season ends.
Fun Fact: Sweet potatoes aren’t actually potatoes. Despite their name, they’re not part of the potato family at all. Sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family, while regular potatoes are part of the nightshade family.
Types of Sweet Potatoes
There are plenty of sweet potato varieties to choose from, and here are some popular ones to consider:
- White Yam – One of the oldest varieties out there, this one looks more like a regular potato with its white skin and white flesh. It matures in about 100 days and grows on compact vines, which makes it easy to manage.
- Beauregard – This variety is ready in about 90 days. Although it’s a southern favorite, it also does well in northern gardens. It has dark red roots, deep orange flesh, and stores nicely.
- Centennial – Taking about 100 days to mature, this is the most common variety. It grows well in both the North and South and has orange flesh. Plus, it stores great!
- Georgia Jet – A quick grower, this sweet potato matures in around 90 days. It has red skin, orange flesh, and thrives in northern regions.
- Jewel – With copper-colored skin and orange flesh, this variety is ready in about 100 days. It’s resistant to disease and stores really well, making it one of the more dependable options.
- Stokes – If you’re looking for something with an extra health boost, try this purple sweet potato. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, making it perfect for savory dishes.
- Vardaman – This unique variety grows in a bush-like shape, which is ideal if you’ve got a smaller garden. It has bluish-purple foliage, golden skin, and reddish-orange flesh. It also stores well.
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How Much to Plant
You can harvest several potatoes from each plant, approximately 5 to 10 sweet potatoes per plant. Depending on the size of your family and how often you want to enjoy them, you’ll want to plan for 2 to 5 plants per person.
Seed, Bulb, or Plant?
Sweet potatoes aren’t started from seeds or bulbs like some other plants. Instead, they’re grown from “slips.” Slips are sprouts that come from existing sweet potatoes. You can easily find these slips at your local garden center, nursery, from a farmer’s market, or even online.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also grow your own slips using sweet potatoes you already have at home.
How Long Do Sweet Potatoes Take to Grow?
How long it takes to grow sweet potatoes really depends on the variety you choose. Some of the quicker varieties are ready in about 90 days, which makes them great for gardeners in northern regions. Other types can take up to 120 to 150 days. On average, though, most varieties are good to go within 90 to 120 days.
What You Need to Grow Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a quick rundown to help you get started on growing your own sweet potatoes:
- Soil: Go for well-draining, sandy soil that’s rich in organic matter. Sweet potatoes prefer loose soil to grow big, healthy tubers.
- Location: Choose a spot with plenty of space for the vines to spread out. Raised beds or containers work great if you’re short on room.
- When to Plant: Plant in the spring once the soil has warmed up and there’s no chance of frost. Sweet potatoes need a long growing season.
- Sunlight: They love the sun! Make sure they get full sun for at least 6-8 hours a day.
When to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Most sweet potato varieties need around four months of consistently warm weather and soil, so planting in spring is your best bet. Wait until all danger of frost has passed, and the soil temperature stays above 60°F—that’s when these plants thrive. If you’re in a cooler climate, consider using black plastic to help warm up the soil or starting your slips indoors to get a head start.
For warmer regions, you might have a longer growing season and more flexibility with planting time, but make sure the soil isn’t too wet to avoid rot. Whatever your climate, timing it right ensures your sweet potatoes have the warmth they need to grow into a bountiful harvest.
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes for Beginners
Growing sweet potatoes is easier than you might think! The main thing to remember? These plants love it hot, sunny, and a bit hands-off. They do best in a spot where they can spread out without competing with other plants, so avoid squeezing them into a crowded garden.
#1. Temperature
Sweet potatoes thrive in warm soil, so hold off on planting until the soil hits at least 60°F. For the best results, aim for soil temperatures of 60–85°F and air temperatures of 65–95°F. Living in a cooler northern region? Look for varieties with shorter growing seasons to make things easier.
#2. Sun
Pick a planting spot that gets full sun, though some partial shade in the afternoon can be helpful in really hot, dry areas. Most varieties love as much sun as they can soak up!
#3. Soil
Sweet potatoes are picky about soil! They prefer loose, sandy soil loaded with organic matter and good drainage. If your soil is heavy with clay, think about amending it. Aim for a neutral pH of 5.8–6.0. If the pH is off, you can add a bit of lime to balance things out.
#4. Water
Once your plants are settled in, sweet potatoes don’t mind a bit of dry soil. Keep it evenly moist by providing about 1 inch of water per week. Be sure to cut back on watering during the last 3–4 weeks before harvesting to avoid splitting the tubers. During dry spells, keeping the plants watered is your best bet for a healthy crop.
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#5. Fertilizing
Sweet potatoes don’t need a ton of fertilizer, but balanced nutrition goes a long way. Over-fertilizing can lead to lots of leafy greens and fewer tubers, which isn’t ideal. Before planting, mix compost into the soil for a natural boost, or use an organic liquid fertilizer to give them a jumpstart.
#6. Support
Sweet potatoes are ground enthusiasts, so generally, no extra support is needed! However, if space is tight or you’re container gardening, a trellis can help you grow vertically. Just make sure the trellis is solid and sturdy, as these plants can get heavy as they grow.
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Before planting, place your slips in water for a day or two to help them perk up. Then, harden them off by exposing them to filtered sunlight for 1 to 2 weeks. Once the weather and soil conditions are just right, you’re ready to plant.
Form raised mounds that are 6 to 8 inches high and roughly 12 inches wide. Snap off the lower leaves of your slips, leaving just the top leaves. Plant the slips deep enough so the roots and part of the stem are covered, but make sure the leaves stay above ground.
Spacing
Leave 12 to 18 inches between slips and space your rows 3 to 4 feet apart. Sweet potatoes grow on vines that spread out quite a bit, so they’ll need room to sprawl.
Depth
Plant the slips deep enough to cover the roots and stem, leaving just the top leaves above ground. This keeps the slips secure and promotes strong root growth for a healthy harvest. Don’t plant too shallow, or they might dry out, but avoid burying too deep as it can hinder tuber growth. Aim for the lower leaves to slightly peek above the soil.
Diseases and Pests to Watch Out For
Good news! Sweet potatoes are pretty tough and resist most diseases and pests. That said, there are a few troublemakers to keep an eye on:
- Sweet Potato Weevils: These little pests are about ¼ inch long with dark blue heads and wings. They cause trouble by puncturing stems and tubers to lay their eggs. The larvae then tunnel into the tubers and damage the vines and leaves. They multiply quickly, which makes them tricky to control. To stay ahead of them, use disease-resistant slips and rotate your crops, avoiding planting sweet potatoes in the same spot for at least four years.
- Stem Rot: This fungus sneaks in after insects attack the plants. While it won’t kill your sweet potatoes, it can lead to a smaller harvest, which no one wants. To minimize the risk, choose resistant varieties and store the fleshy roots at around 60°F.
How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes
You can start digging the potatoes up as soon as they’re big enough to eat. Harvest them when the leaves and the ends of the vines start turning yellow or about 100 days from planting.
Loosen the soil around each plant to avoid injuring the tubers and cut away some of the vines. Pull up the plant’s main crown and dig up the tubers by hand. Be gentle; sweet potatoes bruise easily. Shake off any excess dirt, and don’t wash the roots. Finish harvesting all of the potatoes by the first frost of fall.
How to Store Sweet Potatoes
Cure the sweet potatoes to give them their distinctive sweet taste and allow a second skin to form over any scratches or bruises. To do this, store the roots in a warm area (about 80° F), preferably with very high humidity, for about 10 to 14 days. Outside on a table in a shady area works well in late summer. Make sure the potatoes aren’t touching.
After curing, get rid of any bruised potatoes and wrap the others individually in newspaper. Carefully pack them in a wooden box or basket and store them in a cool area such as a cellar or basement at about 55° F to 60° F. They’ll last about six months.
Can You Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers?
Sweet potatoes grow really well in containers like grow bags, making them a perfect choice if you’re short on garden space or if you need an easier way to garden. With grow bags specifically made for potatoes, you might even find this approach a preferred way to grow your spuds.
- Choose the Right Bag: Pick a grow bag that’s at least 15 to 20 gallons in size. Sweet potatoes need plenty of room for their roots to spread.
- Prep the Soil: Fill the bag with loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Mix in compost or coconut coir to retain moisture while allowing excess water to drain.
- Plant the Slips: Position your slips about 12 inches apart and plant them deep enough to cover the roots and part of the stem, keeping the leaves above the soil.
- Water Wisely: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Containers dry out faster, so be sure to check regularly.
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes
- If you receive slips before it’s too soon to plant, stand them in potting mix or sand and keep them moist until you can plant.
- If ordering slips online, be sure they’ll arrive in time to plant for a full growing season. You’ll need to time your order. Most varieties take about 90 to 120 days to mature.
- If you live in a northern region, cover the growing area with black plastic or fabric mulch at least three weeks before planting to help warm the soil.
- Side-dress the potato plants 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting with a 5-10-10 fertilizer.
- Weed the plants regularly, starting about two weeks after planting.
- Avoid any deep digging so that you don’t disturb the roots.
- Don’t prune back the vines; they should be plentiful.
How Can you Start Your Own Slips?
Starting your own slips is easy and can save you money! About 90 days before the last spring frost, store a few sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place at around 55°F. When you’re ready, plant the potatoes in containers on top of about 3 inches of light, organic, well-draining soil, leaving some space between each one. Cover them lightly with a couple of inches of soil and water just enough to keep the soil damp, not soggy.
Keep the soil and air temperatures between 75°F and 80°F, and place the container where it gets plenty of sunlight. After 4 to 6 weeks, you’ll see slips that are 6 to 12 inches long with roots and leaves. Gently remove the slips from the potatoes, making sure the roots stay attached. If they haven’t sprouted roots yet, no problem. Just pop the slips in water, and they’ll start rooting within 1 to 2 weeks.
Growing sweet potatoes at home is easier than you might think, and it’s so rewarding. With the right materials, a bit of care, and some patience, you’ll be digging up your own sweet, nutritious harvest in just a few months. The best part? You get to control what goes into growing them, so they’re not only delicious but also healthier for you and your family.
Why not give it a try? Pick your favorite variety, gather your supplies, and follow our simple steps on how to grow sweet potatoes for beginners, and watch the magic happen.
