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

02 Jan 12, Lisa Baird (USA - Zone 6a climate)
I also long for NZ Kumara, and have been unable to find them in the states. Where can I order tubers for growing or for eating? I'll start a greenhouse if needed. Thank you.
18 Nov 11, graham (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I would like to try to grow kumara potatoes in our green house as you say they need a long growing season. Can you advise me where I can buy tubers/seeds? Many thanks Graham
26 Jun 18, timothy (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I get my slips from Pioneer Garden and Seed in Villa Park IL. I grew sweet potatoes for two summers with great harvests. I am not sure why they say 5b is not good for sweet potatoes.
12 Oct 11, Sean Gallagher (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you grow from store bought Sweet Potato
19 Sep 13, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew a crop from store bought sweet potatoes - just have to wait for them to start shooting then plant to leave the shoot tips (with 2 small leaves) showing . I have had good crops for a couple of years with minimal attention other than normal weeding and watering.
02 Sep 11, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I tried growing sweet potato here in Lismore, NSW. The plant grew well, but when it came to harvesting the tubers, I found that they were riddled with small white grubs. I have tried to google what the grub is and how I can control it (for next season) but the information is limited. Has anyone got any idea what the grub might be and how I could control them? Thanks Simon
05 Nov 12, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
Google nematodes Simon....also could be carrot fly larvae if you have grown carrots close by
23 Aug 11, Savi (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible to grow s/potato in Melbourne? If yes, when is the best time to plant them? Thanks!
03 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate)
i plant all year round
21 May 11, Nikko (Australia - tropical climate)
Sweet pot grow well in the Brisbane area all year. Just a guide for fellow brisbanites if u live in a frost free area of bris ie bayside, use the tropical setting, sub tropical is more based on the Sydney area and from experience have learnt if u follow tropical instructions, u get heaps more luck. Give it a go.
Showing 261 - 270 of 310 comments

I live in the Redlands on the sourthern outskirts of Brisbane. I am trying to grow sweet potatoes for the first time. I have grown my own slips and planted them out and the vines are growing nicely. What I would like to know is where do the tubers grow from. Is it from the base of the slip or from the vines. Also I only have one vine growing from each plant. Do I need more than one vine and if so how do I encourage the extra vines.

- bernie

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