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

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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.
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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
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05 Nov 12, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
Google nematodes Simon....also could be carrot fly larvae if you have grown carrots close by
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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!
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03 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate)
i plant all year round
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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.
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01 May 11, Mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in the Hunter Valley and the major supermarkets stock gold swt potato all the time.I believe they grow like regular potatos, so try buying some and store them in the cupbaord until they shoot.
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11 May 11, Carrie (Australia - temperate climate)
They don't grow like regular potatoes and some of our customers have suggested they have harvested up to 40kg off the one tuber. Good stuff.
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20 May 11, syd smith (Australia - temperate climate)
the wife looks after our sweetpotato and although she does plant part of the actual potato she mainly gets some of the runners with roots on and plants them in a differant part of the garden and she gets plenty off them,so need to spend money on buying s/pots
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17 Mar 11, Kim Davies (USA - Zone 5a climate)
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!
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Showing 271 - 280 of 316 comments
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Plant the tubers that you want to grow but in a separate bed. They will sprout lots of shoots which will also have roots near the base. When the shoots are 40 to 50 cm long put a fork under the tuber and gently lift it out. Separate the shoots and plant them in the bed you have prepared for them as indicated in the article above. Last year, before I knew this, I planted several tubers where I wanted them to grow but after learning the right method I dug up three and planted out about 50 slips. The slips can be left in water while you are waiting to plant them out and in a few days mine put out prolific roots where the base was under water. You can also start the sprouting inside, cutting the tops off tubers and putting the cut down in shallow water, then planting them out when they start to sprout. Roots will also start growing but later than the shoots. Look for the eyes in the tubers as they are where the shoots come from.

- Paul

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