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

19 Jun 22, Maria (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Thanks for the tip! I am trying for the first time and will do this :)
18 Jun 21, Khandi (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Can I plant my sweet potato slips in the ground now? I’m in Zones 7B & 8A. (SE Alabama)
29 Jun 21, (USA - Zone 8a climate)
It does say April to June.
29 Jun 20, John Martin Barger (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I have a sweet potato that has sprouted pretty heavily on my kitchen counter. I live in Memphis, TN. Is there any chance of having success if I were to plant it now? Or is it too late in season?
23 Jun 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Where I live (Australia) they grow it from just a piece of the growing vine - a slip. Either put them in water until they produce roots or straight into the ground and keep watered. Take a piece about 18cm (6 - 8 inches).
30 Jun 20, Betty (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I'm just next door in Arkansas and will be planting some slips from one in my kitchen today (June 30). We have just enough time before frost to make decent sweet potatoes. You know we can eat the leaves like spinach as well? My (American) kids grew up in SE Asia and thought sweet potato leaves were a variety spinach.
12 Apr 18, Dale Westergard (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Utah, USA. We grow most vegetables here, and potatoes do well. Where could we obtain some starts (slips), etc. to start growing kumara? I've been to NZ several times, enjoying everything about Aotearoa, especially, Kumara. Would appreciate any helps/suggestions. thank you. Dale Westergard.
24 Mar 17, Bob (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Trying to find some Evangeline sweet potato slips. I've only been able to find commercial quantities. Any help appreciated
27 Dec 20, Rick (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Bob, I had the same problem so I ordered a couple of sweet potato's from Walmart. I tried to grow them on my counter to no avail. I went on YouTube and found out that stores buy potato's that have been sprayed to prevent sprouts. Best if you buy your potatoes from a farmers market. Wash them, then cut them in half. Plant the half's in a good compost and keep moist. You should see slips growing out of your potatoes in a few weeks. I found it time consuming but it works! Best of luck to you.
24 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
'Evangeline' was developed at a horticultural research institute in Louisiana and has Intellectual Property Rights. This means that it could only be available to commercial growers who probably pay a royalty for the slips for their crops. You could try the Sweet Potato Research Station at: PO Box 120, Chase LA 71324. These restrictions seem onerous for home gardeners but help pay for the development costs for new varieties. Try them, they may be willing to send you a few slips.
Showing 21 - 30 of 36 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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