The Complete Sweet Potato Vine Plant Care Guide: Water, Light & Beyond (2024)

FAQs

How much light do sweet potato vines need? ›

Sweet potato vines thrive best when receiving at least six or eight hours of daily sunlight. Some will grow in partial shade, but the foliage will be richer, more vibrant, and more vigorous when planted in full sun.

Sweet potatoes grow best in light, sandy soils but grow well on heavier soils, high in clay and amended with organic matter. Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day; prefers 8 - 10 hours/day. Days to maturity: 85 - 120.

Keep soil evenly moist. Make sure plants receive an inch of water per week, or more during extreme heat. Containerized plants will need to be watered more often, every 1-2 days during hot spells. Don't overwater or allow plants to dry out.

🌅 When the Potato Vine Basks in the Glow: Benefits of Direct Sunlight. Vibrant foliage is the Potato Vine's reward for basking in the right amount of sunlight. Six to eight hours of sun exposure can enhance leaf coloration and overall plant vigor.

Pruning. Prune sweet potato vine to remove broken or sickly vines. Cut back rapidly spreading vine tips that have exceeded their boundaries to prevent them from extending too far. Cut about 1/4 inch above leaf nodes to encourage new growth.

Squash will compete with Sweet potatoes for space: these vigorous growers like to spread out. Prevent problems by not planting any members of the Solanaceae family (potato, tomato, all peppers, ground cherries (tomatillo), and eggplant) in the same spot next year.

Phosphorus and potassium boost blooming in sweet potato vines. 🌱 Use balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizers for optimal growth. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent leaf burn and stunted growth.

The best time to plant sweet potato plants is after the ground is thawed and after the last spring frost date has passed. If the ground doesn't freeze in your location, then the best time to plant is usually a month after your last spring frost date.

You can grow sweet potatoes vertically to ease harvesting the leaves or for space-saving. It can be done in the garden or in large containers. Choose a sturdy trellis and weave the vines through the trellis as they grow. (Remember that sweet potatoes are naturally crawlers, but not climbers.)

Overwatering is the usual suspect when it comes to droopy Sweet Potato Vine leaves. It's like giving your plant a bigger drink than it can handle, leading to a soggy mess and stressed roots. Check if the soil feels more like a wet sponge than a moist crumble; that's your clue to ease up on the watering can.

Can you keep sweet potato vine as a houseplant? ›

You can simply grow a sweet potato vine as a hanging houseplant in a smaller container where your plant with beautiful lime green foliage can spill out, and enjoy eating sweet potato leaves as well. Containers also need a trellis to help the vines move upward rather than outward as they spread all around your home.

For a cottage garden, grow sweet potato vine with classic flowering annuals such as snapdragons, African daisies, and geraniums. For a more tropical look, grow this annual with plants such as caladium, canna lilies, and elephant ear. Sweet potato vines are also commonly grown in vegetable and herb gardens.

Think of it as the plant's version of a sunburn, where leaves can become more crispy than a well-done bacon strip. To keep your vine's leaves lush rather than scorched, balance is key. In the heat of summer, Sweet Potato Vine can enjoy the sun but might appreciate a little shade during peak hours.

Potatoes need an open, sunny growing site, not prone to late frosts, as the young shoots are susceptible to frost damage in April and May. They like rich, fertile soil, so dig in plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting, especially if your soil is light – see our guide to soil types.

Where to Plant Sweet Potato Vines. Sweet potato vines do best in a humid climate that's not excessively hot, similar to their native tropical weather. No matter where you are, whether it's cooler or warmer, make sure these plants get at least six hours of sun each day. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil.

Most vegetables need sunshine. Although we can put most plants in the preferred position, sometimes we just lack space. Sweet potato is an interesting vegetable, because although it grows best in sufficient sunlight, it also grows in the shade.

Sweet potato vine thrives in hot, humid conditions, but tolerates some drought. Even watering encourages more vigorous plants. Lightly prune or shape as needed throughout the growing season to keep sweet potato vine in check.

Because sweet potato vines are sensitive to heat and cold, growing them indoors provides optimal growing temperature. They need at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit for good growth, which is great for most homes. A warm 75 degrees is the most optimal temperature.