Sweet potato vine

Typical timeline

• the plantAPR

  Slips root

  This one's a sprinter — cuttings root in about a week and then it's off to the races.

  Roots in a week, then it's off to the races.

  see it on the strip ↑
• the plantMAY – OCT

  Trailing

  Fast cascading growth in lime or plum — the foliage IS the whole show. Pinch tips to keep it dense and in bounds.

  Watch it trail and tumble — pinch the tips to keep the colour full.

  see it on the strip ↑
• the plantNOV

  Frost ends the vine

  Frost kills the top, but the tuber underground can sleep through winter and grow again.

  Lift the tubers — they can sleep through winter and restart the show.

  see it on the strip ↑
• flowering · rareUNCOMMON INDOORS

  A bonus trumpet

  Ornamental types rarely flower, especially indoors. If a pale trumpet shows up, enjoy the surprise.

  Bonus! A trumpet flower — uncommon indoors, so savor it.

  see it on the strip ↑
• undergroundAUG – MID-OCT

  Tubers bulking

  The hidden harvest: storage roots swell fastest in late summer. Go easy on nitrogen and keep the water steady — every leaf up top is pumping sugar down.

  see it on the strip ↑

Care milestones

• pruneMAY – SEP

  Pinch the tips

  Pinch the growing tips back regularly — the vine is aggressive, and pinching keeps it dense and colourful.

  see it on the strip ↑
• feedMAY – AUG

  Feed lightly

  Feed only lightly — too much nitrogen gives a jungle of leaves and mutes the colour.

  see it on the strip ↑
• harvestMID-OCT – NOV

  Lift the tubers

  Lift the tubers before frost and store them somewhere dry and cool — or take cuttings in fall to carry the colour over winter.

  see it on the strip ↑

Botanical drawing

Descourtilz, Flore médicale des Antilles