How to Grow Sweet Potato Plants in Water

Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby, but not everyone has the space for a traditional garden. If you want to grow sweet potato plants but don't have a garden, you can still get a delicious harvest by growing them in water. This method is simple and easy to follow, even for novice gardeners. Here's how to grow sweet potato plants in water.

Materials You Will Need

Before you get started, you will need the following materials:

A sweet potato or sweet potato vine

A glass jar or vase

A toothpick or wooden skewer

A sunny window or grow light

Clean water

Instructions

1. Cut off the bottom of your sweet potato, leaving about an inch of the potato. This end will be the part that grows so make sure it’s healthy and has several eyes, or sprouts.

2. Insert a toothpick or a wooden skewer into each side of the sweet potato about an inch from the bottom. The skewer should rest on the rim of your jar or vase. This will allow the potato to sit in the water without being fully submerged.

3. Fill your jar or vase with water so that the bottom of the sweet potato is just touching the water. Make sure to change the water every few days to keep it clean and fresh.

4. Place your jar or vase in a sunny window or under a grow light. Sweet potatoes need plenty of sunlight to thrive, so make sure it gets at least 6 hours of light per day.

5. Within a few days, you should start to see roots growing out of the bottom of the sweet potato. Allow them to grow to about 4 inches long before transplanting.

6. Once the roots have grown, you can transplant the potato into soil or continue growing in water. If you choose to continue in water, make sure to change the water every few days and trim any dead roots as necessary.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips for successfully growing sweet potato plants in water:

Choose a sweet potato that is organic and free from pesticides as this will be the healthiest option for your plant.

Sweet potatoes need plenty of sunlight, so make sure to place your jar or vase in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and free from bacteria.

Be patient. It may take several weeks for your sweet potato to grow roots and fully develop.

Trim any dead roots as necessary to keep the plant healthy.

Conclusion

Growing sweet potato plants in water is an easy and fun way to enjoy homegrown sweet potatoes even if you don't have a garden. With just a few materials and some patience, you can grow a healthy and delicious crop of sweet potatoes right in your own home. Happy gardening!