Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

16 Nov 15, Yvette Lama (USA - Zone 9b climate)
While recently visiting family in Auckland, New Zealand, we enjoyed the white flesh kumara...It was delicious!!! Looking for it here in America, specifically Southern California, has proven to be very difficult!!! We have orange flesh sweet potatoes, but nothing like the yummie taste of the white flesh kumara!!! Anyone here in the USA know where we can find it? I would LOVE to add it to my vegetable/fruit garden.
19 May 16, Gary (USA - Zone 9b climate)
For a white-fleshed sweet potato in southern California, look for "boniato." It's a variety much used in the Caribbean. I don't know if it's the same variety as is grown in NZ, but give it a try.
02 Nov 15, John Matthews (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I'm in tamborine Brisbane I would like some real Nz kumara that is red on the outside lemon on the inside,if you have any spare could you send me some quite willing to pay freight and pay for them. Regards John (A kiwi missing his kumara)
25 Apr 16, John Yarwood (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi John, i'm another Kiwi called John and really stressing for proper kumara, i don't like this sweet potato here it isn't even close to proper kumara, did you manage to get hold of any plants at all, i live in Park Ridge South not far from you at all, like to get in touch with you, thanks mate.
10 Jun 16, Janet (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have a crop of kumara growing from some i purchased in Woolworths (though not seen often, but they have some at present) I cut the top off one, let it dry a bit and then put in small amount of water, grew several runners, which i then planted out. I did put some sand in the garden bed though, as I always remember my dad telling me the Maori used to grow their kumara in the sandhills. Seems to have worked well.
21 Jul 16, Stami (Australia - temperate climate)
Greenpatch Organic Seeds sells plants of the Kumara sweet potato - The original New Zealand variety if your still looking. https://www.greenpatchseeds.com.au/organic-nursery-plants/herbs-edibles/sweet-potato-kumara.html#fndtn-product_info
23 Nov 15, Martin (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi John, I have been growing Kumara in loganholme very successfully and can assist you with runners. Once you have growen them you can keep growing them from your own runners. If you would like to pick some up just give me an email
13 Jul 16, susan johnson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Martin, Is your kumera the NZ variety - lemon flesh streaked with purple? The taste is nothing like sweet potato we have in Australia. If so I would dearly love to have some of yours! I'm very happy to pay! ! I'm in Maleny. Susan
09 Apr 16, Casey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Martin, would you be able to supply some runners via post to WA? (at our expense) would love to grow some NZ Kumara here! Thanks :)
26 Jun 15, Winsome (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Nins Ricci, saw your comment in early june and wondered if you are in the Brisbane area. I am going North soon and would love to buy some pieces or cuttings of the NZ Kumera. I am in Brisbane and wasn't going to plant till late August. You mention the plant is still growing crazy. Did you harvest any yet? I am wondering if it is too cold at night in Brisbane to plant some yellow ones now.? If anyone else would like to reply, please do so. Thanks
Showing 201 - 210 of 307 comments

Hi there.. I harvested my Kumara in March and unfortunately most of them tubers had multiple small holes in them. Looks like some type of insects got there first and ruined it. Is there anything that I can spray them with and kill them little bugs before they ruin my crops next season.. cheers

- Sam

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.