Sweet Potato vines could prove to be an excellent addition to your plant family. Not only are they one of the most convenient to grow in the category of ‘container gardening’, but are also low maintenance. So less work for you!
Even though the sweet potato vines belong to the same family of ‘sweet potatoes’, they are not edible. They have an unpleasant and bitter taste. These plants are versatile and adapt to a large range of environments. They survive in both shade and sunlight. You may easily grow these in containers, landscapes, borders, and garden beds.
Sweet potato vines have heart-shaped leaves that are deeply lobed or lacy patterned. Its tendrils droop over to the sides of the container. It has a green-yellow color but purple, red, and bronze varieties are also present.
We also have a video that shares a few tips and tricks for the maintenance and care of a sweet potato vine.
Table of Contents
Meet The Sweet Potato Vine: Basic Knowledge And Origins
Family Type | Convolvulaceae |
Botanical Name | Ipomoea Batatas |
Plant Type | Perennial, Herbaceous |
Size | Up to 9-10 feet in height, 5-12 feet in width |
Native Area | North America |
Sun Exposure | Full sun or full shade |
Temperature | 75 degrees Fahrenheit |
Soil Consistency | Moist and well-drained |
Soil pH | Mildly acidic 6.1-6.5 or neutral |
Flower Color | Lavender or Purple |
Common Pests | Beatles, Caterpillars, White Fly |
Varieties Of The Sweet Potato Vine
We’ll be discussing four main varieties of this plant below.
Ipomoea batatas ‘Sweet Caroline’
This variety offers a beautiful range of colors. It comes in green, bronze, purple, and red color. This specific variety is also known as the ‘ground cover’ and grows rapidly. It has leaves that resemble those of the maple tree.
Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita/Marguerite’
The color of Marguerite varies according to sunlight exposure. When placed in full sunlight, the leaves come out as bright chartreuse with a tint of yellow. The leaves turn out to be dark green when deprived of sunlight. It has heart-shaped leaves.
Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie/Blacky’
As the name suggests, this variety has beautiful dark purple leaves that are often confused with black. It blooms beautiful trumpet flowers, albeit rarely. Blackie has maple-like leaves.
Ipomoea batatas ‘Ragtime’
This variety has lacy leaves that are narrow and divided. It has a pale purple color.
Other varieties include:
- Ipomoea batatas ‘Sweetheart/Sweet Caroline Sweetheart’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘Floramia Roso’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘Tricolor’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘Desana’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘Illusion’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarPower/SolarTower’
- Ipomoea batatas ‘sidekick’
How To Grow The Sweet Potato Vine By Seeds
Gardners prefer growing sweet potato vines from cuttings but that may lower their chances of flowering. We’re going to show you how to grow this plant from scratch!
- Start off by filling your container with a starting mix. Place the seeds in the starting mix (without soil) at least 3 inches apart.
- Add a thin layer of the starting mix over the seeds.
- Sprinkle some water by a spray or lightly drizzle it off by hand.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap and place it somewhere warm.
- Remove the plastic wrap once you witness the emergence of seedlings and place the container under sunlight or a window.
- When the seedlings grow up to 3-4 inches in height, transplant them into a pot filled with well-drained soil. Make sure these seedlings get optimum sunlight.
Blooming The Sweet Potato Vine
As mentioned earlier, flowering the sweet potato vine is indeed difficult. It also involves a tad bit of luck! But for those planting this vine yearn its blooming because of the gorgeous trumpet flowers it has to offer.
You will have to plant this vine in well-drained soil under optimum sunlight and temperature. The latter should not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to water them frequently and ensure adequate drainage. The flowers are expected to bloom in the spring season.
You may use a balanced fertilizer but a blooming fertilizer would amplify its chances of flowering.
How To Care For The Sweet Potato Vine
Sunlight Exposure
Even though these plants love sunlight and grow rapidly in complete sunlight exposure, they can also survive in partial or full shade. The intensity of the sunlight dictates its color and vibrancy.
Soil
Well-drained and moist soil suits this vine the most. Make sure to replenish the soil with organic nutrients. Also, to prevent the rotting of roots, it is crucial to establish drainage of excess water. A container with holes would suffice well.
Watering
These plants are tough and survive against all odds, even drought. However, their health and integrity must be maintained with frequent watering. These plants grow stronger and faster in a moist but well-drained environment.
Temperature
These plants prefer sunlight over hot climates. If you’re growing this plant in hot climates, I would suggest frequently watering its soil to prevent over-drying.
Humidity
The sweet potato vine does not require as much humidity as other tropical plants do.
Fertilizing Frequency
Weekly feeding is advised. However, since this will boost their growth significantly, you will have to cut some of it back to avoid overgrowth.
Propagation Of the Sweet Potato Vine
1. With cuttings
Use sterilized pruning shears to cut off a branch that houses several leaf nodes. Before submerging them in water, cut off a few inches of the bottom leaves. You will witness the growth of these cuttings, after which you may shift them into a pot. It’s best to re-pot them during the spring season.
2.With Root Tubers
Save up the tuberous roots of this vine. Dig up the tubers and place them in vermiculite or peat. These babies will sprout during spring as long as you don’t touch them.
Pruning
Use clean and sterilized pruning shears to eliminate sick, broken, or worn-out vines. Also, remember to cut back tips that have overgrown. Pruning the sweet potato vine makes it grow rapidly and cutting just above the nodes is the key to rapid growth spurts.
Challenges & Solutions
Yellowing Of Leaves
Fungal infection is the cause of the yellowing of leaves and is often non-salvageable. It is best to pluck out the infected portion so that it does not spread.
The rotting of roots is also the cause of yellowish discoloration. This can be prevented by ensuring adequate drainage of the soil.
Blackening Of Leaves
This is because of frost. You would have to pluck it out and eliminate it because this too is a non-salvageable problem.
Wilting Of Leaves
This indicates a lack of moisture. Make sure to water these plants frequently.
Holes In The Leaves
This indicates that there is some insect that regularly feeds on the leaves. I would suggest applying neem oil around the plant to repel these insects.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
It means to protect the plants from frost and colds. Sweet Potato vines can not tolerate frost at all and overwintering them during harsh climates is mandatory for their survival
These plants can survive both indoors and outdoors, although they do prefer full sun exposure
This could be a result of inadequate watering and moisture. These plants require frequent watering, without which they start wilting.