How to Plant a Sweet Potato in a Pot

Sweet potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in a container. Growing sweet potatoes in a pot is a great way to save space, add visual interest to your garden, and enjoy a healthy, delicious harvest. Here are the steps on how to plant a sweet potato in a pot.

Step 1: Choose the Right Pot

Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide to give enough space for the sweet potato roots to grow. Ensure that the pot has good drainage to prevent the roots from being waterlogged. You can purchase a potting mix specifically created for container gardening or use a mixture of compost, sand, and peat moss.

Step 2: Select the Sweet Potato

Choose firm and healthy sweet potatoes that do not have any damages or cracks. Avoid potatoes that have sprouted or have green spots on their skin as they may not be the healthiest choice. Cut the sweet potato in half and let it rest in a warm and dry place for several days to allow the cut skin to scab over.

Step 3: Prepare the Potting Mix

Mix the potting mix with a granular, balanced fertilizer to provide the sweet potato with the necessary nutrients it needs. If you prefer to use organic fertilizers, use a mixture of blood meal, bone meal, and kelp meal. Ensure that the fertilizer is mixed thoroughly with the potting mix so that the sweet potato can get the nutrients evenly.

Step 4: Plant the Sweet Potato

Place the sweet potato half in the potting mix, cut side down, and cover with 2-3 inches of the potting mix. Make sure to leave the sprouts of the sweet potato exposed as this is where the shoots and leaves will grow. Water the sweet potato until the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

Step 5: Care for the Sweet Potato Plant

Place the pot in a sunny spot where the sweet potato can receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. Water the sweet potato regularly and make sure the soil stays moist. Fertilize the sweet potato plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Pinch back the plant's stems when they reach about 6 inches tall to encourage more growth.

Step 6: Harvest Your Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes will be ready to harvest once the leaves and vines start to yellow and the plant dies back. This usually occurs around 100 days after planting. Carefully dig around the sweet potato to loosen the soil, and then gently pull it out of the pot. Brush off any excess dirt and store the sweet potato in a cool, dry place for several weeks.

Growing sweet potatoes in a pot is an excellent way to enjoy a delicious and nutritious harvest right in your own home. With these simple steps, you can easily grow sweet potatoes in a pot and enjoy the many health benefits that this delicious vegetable provides.