Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato Care

Ipomoea batatas

What is the plant

Despite their name, Sweet Potatoes are not true 'potatoes' and can not be grown in the same manner as regular potatoes. Their care requirements are a little more complicated, as they are not frost-hardy and resistant like regular Potatoes!

Sweet Potatoes, or Ipomoea batatas, belong to the plant family of Morning Glory, and if you take a look at the plant's foliage and blooms, you will see the resemblance. The most well-known Sweet Potato comes with orange flesh. But did you know that white and purple Sweet Potatoes also exist? Each variety has a slightly different taste, texture, and use.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

16°C - 21°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 12

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Container
You can easily grow Sweet Potatoes in pots. Although, make sure that the container is the right size: aim for about 12 inches (30 cm) deep and 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. The smaller the container, the smaller the potatoes will turn out. Don't plant multiple plants or slips in a single pot, as this will cause the plants to fight for space and lead to distorted or small potatoes.
Fun fact
Apart from the regular Sweet Potato, Ipomoea batatas has another variety, the Sweet Potato Vine. This plant comes in various shades, ranging from orange to purple and green to red. The tubers of Ornamental Sweet Potatoes are nutritious, just like the regular Sweet Potato, commonly grown for consumption. However, the Sweet Potato Vine's tubers are bitter and tasteless. Thus, they are rarely seen on a dinner plate.
Popularity
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