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 17°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
28 Oct 24, Geri (USA - Zone 10a climate)
No. Start sweet potatoes in a jar with water. They will sprout. Pick the rooted sprouts off and that is what you plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
A slip is a piece of vine about 400-500mm long. Dig a trench 50-70mm deep. Lay the slip in the trench and cover the slip over with soil. Leave the growing tip sticking out of the soil. Strip most of the leaves off the slip - not the growing tip part. Water well for the first week or two.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Sweet potatoes are not planted as whole tubers like regular potatoes. Instead, they are grown from sweet potato slips, which are sprouts taken from mature sweet potatoes. Just twist off the slips, root them in water, and then plant them to grow sweet potatoes
Reply or Post a new comment
20 May 23, Mireya (USA - Zone 7a climate)
What kind/type of sweet potato can I grow in Northern Virginia (zone 7A)?
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jun 23, (USA - Zone 3b climate)
Probably any type.
Reply or Post a new comment
31 May 23, JJ Penza (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I am on the Va/NC line zone 7B.I have had success growing Beauregards, Okinawas, and Covingtons, The best producers at my place were in that order.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 May 23, Carolyn (USA - Zone 8a climate)
A friend of mine gave me some sweet potato plants rooted and planted in soil before last winter. She told me to keep them and water occasionally and plant in April/May in North Texas. These little plants are about 6" high with multiple shoots from a center stalk. Do I plant the whole plant in a pot or cut off the shoots and plant? Confused? Thank you.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 May 23, (Australia - temperate climate)
You can do both. More plants if you break it up into a few.
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jan 23, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Has anyone planted Kumara in a Vegepod?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jan 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why would you - they need a lot of soil around them.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 307 comments
See comments for all plants

I ate kumara everyday when visiting NZ and loved it! Because it was less sweet than USA sweet potatoes. I am craving it and need to find out how and if I can get seeds and grow it in Virginia? Would love your help on this!

- Kim Davies

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.