🍠 Sweet Potato: Growing Guide
Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 18–35 °C (64–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 90–120 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Ipomoea batatas |
|---|---|
| Category | Exotic Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 18–35 °C (64–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 90–120 days |
| Sowing depth | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Height | 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Jul, Nov · Harvest: Mar–Jun, Aug–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
Beauregard and Jewel. Rich in vitamin A. Ideal for warm climates. A storage root.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Sweet Potato: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Sweet Potato: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Sweet Potato: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 10 cm (3.9 in).
Sweet Potato: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 90–120 days.
Sweet Potato: which plants grow well with it?
Oregano.
Sweet Potato: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Sweet potato weevil.
Plan your garden
Add Sweet Potato to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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