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Conservatory GreenhouseAnnual BiennialHerbaceous Perennial

Ipomoea batatas

sweet potato

A variable species of twining perennial climber, often grown as an annual, with some cultivars valued for their edible roots. Leaves are usually ovate to heart-shaped, sometimes lobed and sometimes flushed with purple. Funnel-shaped flowers, often purple or occasionally white, are produced in summer

Other common names
Brazilian arrowroot
jalap tops
see morekumar
kumara
Spanish potato
yam

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer Purple White Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Convolvulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing, Trailing
Genus

Ipomoea can be annuals or perennials, often twining, or evergreen shrubs, with simple, lobed or dissected leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be solitary or borne in racemes or panicles

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Indonesia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained, sandy loam in full sun, with support for climbing stems. May be grown outdoors in warmer regions, but best grown under glass in colder areas (minimum temperature 7-10°C). This species is the parent to both edible sweet potato cultivars, and to ornamental cultivars that rarely flower but have attractive foliage and may be climbing or compact

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Edible cultivars are grown from slips (rooted shoots from a tuber). These can be potted and grown indoors in spring and planted out once there is no risk of frost

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to fusarium wilt, powdery mildews and virus diseases

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