How to Grow Sweet Potato Vines

Whether you're looking to add some greenery to your home or garden or want to indulge your love for sweet potatoes, growing sweet potato vines is a great option. These hardy plants are easy to grow and care for, and they'll quickly become a lively addition to any space. Here's how to get started.

Choosing and Preparing Your Sweet Potato

The first step in growing sweet potato vines is selecting the right potato. You'll want to choose a healthy, fresh, and sprout-producing potato from a reliable source. Once you have your potato, you'll need to prepare it for planting.

Start by cutting the potato into sections that are about two inches long, being sure to include at least two sprouts on each section. Once you've cut the potato, let the pieces dry for a few days so that the cut ends can callous over.

Planting Your Sweet Potato

Sweet potato vines are known for growing quickly and vigorously, so you'll want to ensure that the plant has plenty of room to spread out. Before planting, create a mound of soil that is about eight inches high and 24 inches wide. Space your sweet potato plantings about 12 inches apart.

Once your soil is prepared, dig a hole in the center of the mound that is deep enough to support your sweet potato piece. Place the potato piece, sprouts up, and cover it up with soil. Water the plant well, but be sure not to overwater.

Caring for Your Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potato vines are relatively low-maintenance plants that require little attention beyond regular watering and occasional fertilizing. Keep your plant well-watered, but not overly saturated, as too much water can cause rot.

Sweet potato vines thrive in warm, sunny areas, so ensure that your plant is getting plenty of direct sunlight. If you're planting sweet potato vines indoors, place them near a sunny window or under grow lights.

Harvesting Your Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato vines are actually a great way to grow sweet potatoes themselves, and in about 100 days after planting, you can expect to harvest your crop. When the vine reaches maturity, the leaves will begin to yellow and die back, indicating that it's time to harvest.

Harvesting your sweet potatoes is easy. Simply dig up the entire plant using a fork, being careful not to damage any of the potatoes. After harvesting, allow your sweet potatoes to cure in a warm, dry spot for a few days before storing.

In Conclusion

Growing sweet potato vines is an easy and rewarding project that's perfect for beginner gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike. With little maintenance required, you'll soon be enjoying the lush foliage and flavorful harvest that come with growing your own sweet potato vines.