After trying several methods, I finally found a simple and reliable way to grow sweet potatoes with great results. If you’re wondering how to grow sweet potatoes and want an easy planting guide that actually works, keep reading—I’ll share the exact steps I use to grow healthy, thriving sweet potatoes from start to finish.
What Month Do You Plant Sweet Potatoes?
The best time to plant sweet potatoes is in the spring, once the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F (16°C). Sweet potatoes thrive in warm climates, so it’s essential to plant them after the last frost.
- In warm climates: Plant sweet potatoes between March and June.
- In cooler climates: Plant sweet potatoes between May and June, once the soil is warm enough.
You can start your sweet potato slips indoors during the winter to prepare for planting as soon as the weather is favorable.
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes
Growing sweet potatoes starts with choosing the right planting method and understanding their unique requirements. The most common way to grow sweet potatoes is from slips (young shoots that sprout from a mature sweet potato).
Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare the Soil: Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Mix in organic matter like compost to improve the soil’s texture and fertility.
Cut and Prepare Slips: Sweet potatoes are grown from slips, not seeds. To make your slips, take a healthy sweet potato and place it in a jar of water or slightly buried in soil. Keep it in a warm, sunny location, and it will start sprouting slips.
Cut Slips: Once the slips are about 6 inches long, gently twist or cut them off the sweet potato. Each slip will become a new plant.
Pro Tip: Let the cut slips sit in water for a few days to develop roots before planting. This increases the chances of success.
Plant Slips: Once the soil temperature is above 60°F, plant the slips 12-18 inches apart, with rows spaced 3 feet apart. Bury them up to the first set of leaves.
Watering: Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid rot.
Mulching: Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching also helps keep the soil temperature stable.
Harvesting: Sweet potatoes are ready to harvest 90-120 days after planting, depending on the variety. The leaves will start to yellow when they’re ready to dig up.
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Growing sweet potatoes in containers is an excellent option for those with limited space. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose the Right Container: Sweet potatoes need space to spread out their roots. A container that’s at least 12-18 inches deep and wide works best.
- Fill with Soil: Use loose, well-draining potting soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid heavy soils that could compact and stunt root growth.
- Plant the Slips: Plant the sweet potato slips about 6 inches apart in the container. Make sure to leave enough room for their vines to spread out.
- Water Consistently: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Provide Support: Sweet potato vines can grow long, so consider using a trellis or allowing the vines to drape over the edges of the container.
- Fertilize Regularly: Use a balanced, organic fertilizer to encourage healthy root growth.For the best fertilizer to grow sweet potatoes in containers.
How Long to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Sweet potatoes generally take between 90-120 days to grow, whether they’re planted in the ground or containers. However, container-grown sweet potatoes may mature slightly faster due to the warmer, more controlled environment.
- Early varieties: Some varieties can be harvested as early as 80 days.
- Late varieties: Others may take up to 130 days to fully mature.
How Do You Grow Sweet Potatoes in a Bag?
Grow bags are an ideal choice for growing sweet potatoes if you don’t have garden space or prefer a portable option.
Choose a Grow Bag: A 20-30 gallon grow bag is ideal for sweet potatoes. Make sure the bag is breathable and has good drainage.
Fill the Bag: Fill the bag with a well-draining soil mix. Ensure the soil is loose enough for the tubers to grow.
Plant the Slips: Plant your sweet potato slips about 6 inches apart. You can plant 3-5 slips per grow bag, depending on the bag’s size.
Watering: Like other methods, make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Grow bags tend to dry out faster than the ground, so check the moisture levels frequently.
Hill the Soil: As the sweet potatoes grow, add more soil to the bag to encourage tuber formation.
Harvesting: You can harvest your sweet potatoes after 90-120 days. When the leaves start yellowing, it’s a sign that your sweet potatoes are ready to be dug up.If you’re looking for a breathable and durable grow bag.
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Water
Growing sweet potatoes in water is a fun and educational way to see how sweet potatoes develop roots and slips.
Select a Sweet Potato: Choose a healthy sweet potato and place it in a glass jar, with the pointed end submerged in water.
Support the Potato: Insert toothpicks around the middle of the potato to rest on the rim of the jar, keeping the top half above water.
Place in a Sunny Spot: Keep the jar in a warm, sunny location. Change the water every few days to prevent rot.
Wait for Slips: After 2-4 weeks, slips will begin to form. Once they’re about 6 inches long, twist them off the potato and root them in water before planting.
How Deep Do Sweet Potatoes Grow?
Sweet potatoes form tubers underground, typically growing 6-12 inches deep. This is why it’s important to have loose, well-drained soil that allows the tubers to expand freely.
- In containers or grow bags: Ensure your soil depth is at least 12 inches to accommodate proper tuber growth.
Do Sweet Potatoes Grow Underground?
Yes, sweet potatoes grow underground as tubers, while their vines and leaves grow above ground. The tubers expand in the soil, which is why loose soil is crucial for a healthy harvest. Mulching can also help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture, further encouraging the growth of underground tubers.
How to Cut Sweet Potato Slips for Planting
Sweet potatoes are grown from slips rather than seeds. Here’s how to cut and plant them:
- Sprout the Sweet Potato: Place a healthy sweet potato in water or soil and wait for it to sprout slips.
- Harvest Slips: Once the slips are 6-8 inches long, gently twist or cut them off the potato. Aim for clean cuts that won’t damage the potato.Pro Tip: Let the slips sit in water for a few days to develop roots before planting them in the garden or container.For clean cuts, you can use sharp garden shears.
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes from a Sweet Potato
Growing sweet potatoes from a sweet potato is easy once you have your slips. Follow these steps:
- Start with a Healthy Sweet Potato: Select a firm, disease-free sweet potato from the store or garden.
- Sprout Slips: Submerge the sweet potato halfway in water, with the pointed end down. Keep it in a warm, sunny spot.
- Plant the Slips: Once your slips are 6-8 inches long, cut them off and plant them directly into the soil, container, or grow bag.
- Water and Mulch: Keep the soil moist and mulch around the plants to conserve water and regulate soil temperature.
Common Sweet Potato Growing Problems and Solutions
1. Pests
- Sweet Potato Weevils: Handpick weevils or use organic insecticides to control infestations.
- Wireworms: Rotate crops to prevent wireworm damage.
2. Diseases
- Black Rot: Plant certified disease-free slips and rotate crops to avoid soil-borne diseases.
- Root Rot: Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.
Final Thoughts
Growing sweet potatoes is a fun and rewarding project that can be done in a variety of environments, from garden beds to containers and bags. Whether you’re growing sweet potatoes indoors, outdoors, or even in water, this guide provides all the information you need to succeed.
