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

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
13 Apr 15, Charles Lee (Australia - tropical climate)
I bought my "seed" tuber as a vegetable in the supermarket. Some gardening experts say to wait until leaves yellow & plants die back before harvesting. I am in Townsville and that did not work. Plants grew 12 months a year. Tubers were bigger than footballs, woody and had insect attack and rot. Suggest you follow other advise that recommends harvest in 16 weeks. Tubers are smaller and tender.
09 Apr 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
The orange sweet potato/kumara can grow like a weed. I recently dug up a patch and for months tiny kumara plants were sprouting. Some from the smallest pieces of broken root. If you see one you like in the supermarket, I suggest you chop some up and plant it. To harvest, they poke out of the ground when ready. Feel around for a big one, then remove it by hand. Be careful not to break it in two.
30 Jan 15, Shona (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings sells the kumara plant in QLD along with feijoa trees which were both thought to be a NZ thing only? Or you can get on eBay though there are certain restrictions with sending fruit or plant matter between states.
05 Aug 14, Peter Wheldon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I saw Jerry Coleby-Williams of Gardening Australia use a crop of marigold in a garden bed for a season to 'gas' or fumigate the nematodes organically. Apparently farmer's friends or cobblers pegs do the same thing. So you could pull the kumara up, cultivate the bed and plant a heap of marigold in to deal with the nematodes if that is what the grubs were.
09 May 14, Joe De Ornelas (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, I live in Perth and I've been in search of the ORANGE KUMARA, but to no luck. Does anybody know were I might be able to purchase this elusive plant?
Showing 111 - 120 of 194 comments

how do you know if the sweet potatos are ready - mine have been in the ground for 6 months now

- Anneliese

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