Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

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

(Best months for growing Sweet Potato in Australia - tropical regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • 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

17 May 14, Margaret (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just bought one from Bunnings in Queensland. First time they have had them in. Called" Sweet Potato Purple". Definitely a Kumara!! Try to get one at Bunnings over there and ask them to get them in! Good Luck.
08 Apr 15, susan johnson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Many thanks Margaret! I must say I remain sceptical, but will definitely try Bunnings!
28 Apr 14, jan (Australia - temperate climate)
i have read on gardenate that sweet potatoes aren't suitable for temperate Australia. A chinese man gave me a sweet potato vine cutting and I've been harvesting the greens off this for several months now. When does the plant die down for harvesting the sweet potatoes underneath? At the moment there seems to be constant growth on top and only an occasional yellow leaf.
04 May 14, Steve McLeish (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
when do i harvest my sweet potatoes
29 Apr 14, Jaizi (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jan, I'm growing sweet potatoes in Temperate too. They grow really easily here actually, but mine have never died back like it says. You just have to dig around and see if they are a good size. You don't even have to harvest to whole plant, just a couple of tubers at a time and let it keep on growing. They are also really easy to transplant to another area, they're just an all-round hardy food plant. The hard part of transplanting is to make sure you get it all, otherwise you'll have them re-sprout. Jaizi
22 Mar 14, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 2 sweet potatoes that have grown shoots whilst in the cupboard . If i cut them in half can I use half and plant the other half or should I allow the shoots to continue growing and plant those later . Its autumn now.. I have a plot I can use that would be sheltered from frost although we only get a couple each year
26 Sep 13, Debbie (Australia - temperate climate)
We are ex-pat Kiwis and now live near Port Macquarie NSW. Could you please tell us where we can access some real NZ Kumara plants?
09 Apr 14, David (Australia - temperate climate)
I believe that it is illegal to import NZ kumara to Australia, so you will only be able to obtain propagating material from someone who has been growing it for years or has obtained it illegally. That said, it is certainly not impossible to find people growing it, but they probably won't be advertising it. Keep putting feelers out in forums like this. (0r you might be able to buy some from a supermarket and sprout that - Liz)
08 May 14, Glen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi David. Not sure if it's kiwi kumera they have but check out The Diggera Club online. They even have NZ yams on there and post plants nationwide from Victoria. Hope this helps
18 Feb 13, D JAMES (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can anyone tell me if all sweet potatoe vines leaves are edible I am a bit of a collector and have now about 5 different types of these real streetfighting trifods. They are such a wonderful tasty sustainable easy to grow plant everyone should have some in their garden.
Showing 141 - 150 of 196 comments

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