Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas
Sweet potatoes are warm-season vines grown for their sweet, nutritious tubers. They thrive in hot summers and are grown from slips rather than seeds, spreading vigorously as ground cover.
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water Needs
Low
Soil
Loose, well-draining, sandy loam; pH 5.5–6.5
Spacing
12–18 inches
Days to Maturity
90–120 days from slip planting
Growing Zones
Thrives in USDA Zones 5–11
Companion Planting
When to Plant
Transplant
2–3 weeks after last frost, soil 65°F+
Harvest
90–120 days; harvest before first frost
Organic Growing Tips
Start slips 6 weeks before planting by suspending a sweet potato in water in a warm spot.
Grow in raised beds with loose soil amended with sand and compost for easy tuber expansion.
Plant thyme and oregano nearby to deter whiteflies and attract beneficial ground beetles.
Cure harvested tubers at 85°F and 90% humidity for 7–10 days to sweeten and harden skin.
Common Pests
- Sweet Potato Weevil
- Wireworm
- Whitefly
- Deer
All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.