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Do you want to plant sweet potatoes in your garden, greenhouse, or even in a pot on your balcony? A pot is ideal for those with limited space or who prefer to keep the process controlled. Growing sweet potatoes is simple and fun, and you will be rewarded with a rich harvest of tasty tubers.
In this guide, you will discover how to grow sweet potatoes from cutting to harvest – and everything in between; the entire process is covered.
In May, we offer sweet potato plants that can be ordered in various types and per 5 plants.
What is a sweet potato plant?
The sweet potato plant grows into an exuberant climbing plant with edible tubers. The flesh of the sweet potato can be orange, white, purple, or speckled and varies in texture and flavor depending on the variety. Both the edible tubers and the edible leaves can be used in various dishes. Unlike common potatoes, sweet potatoes do not belong to the nightshade family. This makes them a great addition to your vegetable garden, greenhouse, or balcony project.
How do you start growing sweet potatoes?
You can start propagating sweet potatoes indoors as early as mid-February. The propagation is done indoors because the cuttings require a lot of warmth; a high temperature speeds up the process and often makes the propagation period shorter. Based on experience, using a plastic bag or film over the glass works very well to keep the humidity and temperature high. Read our additional tips for more experiences and advice on growing sweet potatoes.
You cannot grow sweet potatoes from seed. They are propagated via cuttings or ‘slips’. You can easily make them yourself:
Place an organic sweet potato in a glass of water. Check the bottom of the tuber beforehand for mold or rot and cut it off if necessary for a healthy start.
Note: a white haze can form on the bottom of the tuber while it is sprouting in water. This may indicate mold or decay; in that case, use a different tuber.
After 2–3 weeks, shoots will grow from the tuber, which acts as a mother plant.
Cut these shoots off as soon as they are 15 cm long and place them in water to let them root. The cuttings will root in the water.
After rooting, you can pot the cuttings into a larger pot to further develop the roots before planting them out.
Want to save time?
You can buy our sweet potato cuttings as plant material directly!
There are sweet potato varieties with orange, yellow, and white tubers. The orange ones have the highest carotenoid content and have become the most popular variety. But all sweet potatoes are generally very nutritious, especially if you also use the leaves and shoots. Sweet potatoes literally nourish your brain and are good for your gut.
It will be hard to find a plant that produces more food per square meter than the humble sweet potato. Definitely worth growing.
View our sweet potato plant material
When to grow sweet potatoes?
The ideal period to start is between mid-May and June, once the risk of night frost has passed. The right time to plant depends on the temperature and the beginning of the long season, as sweet potatoes need a long and warm growing season.
Then the rule is: the warmer, the better! Sweet potatoes love sun and warmth.
Where to plant sweet potatoes for good drainage?
You can grow sweet potatoes in open ground, in a greenhouse, or in large pots of at least 30 liters. To ensure the right conditions for successful cultivation, provide:
- Sunny spot
- Sheltered spot against wind and cold
- Airy, well-draining soil with sufficient moisture
- Compost-rich soil with a high humus content
- Sweet potatoes grow best in humus-rich, well-draining soil.
Sweet potatoes need plenty of water during the growing season to develop healthily and achieve good tuber formation. During growth, they need regular moisture, but they do not want waterlogging.
With an irrigation system combined with mulch, you can grow very efficiently and avoid a growth stop in your plants.
In pots and containers, you can grow sweet potatoes on the terrace or balcony. That is also perfectly possible!
What is the correct planting distance when growing sweet potatoes?
For healthy growth, the ideal planting distance for sweet potatoes is:
- 30–40 cm between plants
- 75–100 cm between rows
This prevents mold growth and gives the tubers space to develop.
Caring for sweet potatoes: tips for young plants
During the summer, give the plants:
- Regular water (without letting the roots rot)
- Potassium-rich fertilizer. I use this liquid fertilizer for tomatoes every 3 weeks.
- Support or guidance for long vines
By mulching, you keep the soil moist and limit weed growth.
How does a sweet potato grow?
Many people wonder: how exactly does a sweet potato grow? Under the ground, the plant forms runners from which the tubers emerge. The tubers develop thanks to the process of rooting and the formation of runners. The warmer the soil and the longer the season, the greater your harvest, thanks to optimal growing conditions.
When to harvest sweet potatoes?
Depending on the weather, you can start harvesting sweet potatoes in September or October. The foliage will begin to wither. Dig carefully, as sweet potatoes are fragile when being harvested. It is recommended to remove the tubers from the ground by hand so they do not get damaged. The tubers you have harvested must be handled with care to maintain quality. Harvesting requires some work, but hopefully, you will be rewarded with a nice yield thanks to good care.
Let them dry briefly for a few days and 'cure' in a warm place at a high temperature (around 28°C). This makes the tubers sweeter and allows any wounds to heal. After harvest, sweet potatoes must be stored at high temperatures for some time for better flavor. Afterward, you can store them for months in a dark, dry room, until winter. The tubers can then be used in all kinds of dishes. The sweet potato contains many healthy nutrients and is therefore a valuable addition to your menu.
Problems and solutions when growing sweet potatoes
Those who grow sweet potatoes sometimes run into some challenges. Fortunately, most problems are easy to prevent or solve, provided you know what to look out for. With the right information and a little effort, you will soon enjoy a rich harvest from your own garden or even from the balcony.
A lack of warmth
One of the most common stumbling blocks is a lack of warmth. Sweet potatoes love high soil temperatures and grow best in a warm, sheltered spot. So make sure your plants get enough sun and wait to plant them out until the soil temperature is at least 18°C. In a greenhouse or on a sunny terrace, it often works even better. You can also grow them well in small pots, as long as you provide enough warmth and humidity.
Good drainage or light soil
Good drainage is essential: soil that is too wet can cause the roots to rot, while drought hinders growth. Therefore, always use pots or raised beds with a well-draining bottom and water regularly without making the soil soggy. Especially in warm months, it is important to keep a close eye on the moisture balance. Sweet potatoes must be stored in a warm and well-ventilated area for longer shelf life.
Top tip: 2 kg of lava grit per m² not only provides essential minerals to your soil, but it also promotes water permeability in heavy or compacted soils.
Slugs can be very destructive
Pests such as slugs and insects can sometimes cause damage to young plants. By inspecting regularly and using biological control agents if necessary, you keep the plants healthy. Planting other crops that deter pests, such as Swiss chard or ginger, can also help.
A treatment with No-slug nematodes at the beginning of your growing season can work wonders.
Plenty of nutrition and acidity
Another point of attention is nutrition. Sweet potatoes require soil that is enriched with compost or organic fertilizers. This ensures that the plants receive sufficient nutrients and can grow well. Also, check the pH value of the soil occasionally; slightly acidic to neutral soil provides the best results.
Spacious pots and enough water
If you are growing in pots or small containers, pay extra attention to the space for the roots and the risk of drying out. Always use spacious pots and fill them with a light, nutritious mixture. Place the pots in a warm spot and water regularly, especially during dry periods.
By applying these tips and continuing to read about new experiences and techniques, you make growing sweet potatoes not only easier but also more fun. With a little attention and the right care, you can enjoy your own vegetables and a good, sweet harvest even on a small balcony. So keep looking for information, try out different methods, and share your experiences – that's how every year becomes a success!
Summary: growing your own sweet potato
Planting sweet potatoes yourself is fun, educational, and incredibly delicious. Whether you plant them in the open ground, in pots on the balcony, or grow them in your vegetable garden – you are guaranteed to enjoy your own harvest.
Planting sweet potatoes? Start in May
Easy to grow in garden or pot
Harvest just before the first frost
Delicious in the kitchen and nutritious
1. When can you plant sweet potatoes?
You plant sweet potatoes starting from mid-May, once the risk of night frost has passed. Sweet potatoes love heat, so the warmer the summer, the better the harvest.
2. How do you grow sweet potato plants?
Sweet potatoes are not grown from seed but from cuttings or ‘slips’. You let these root in water, after which you can plant them in open ground, a greenhouse, or a pot.
3. Where do sweet potatoes grow best?
Sweet potatoes grow best in a sunny spot with airy, well-draining, and compost-rich soil. They also do excellently in a greenhouse or a large pot.
3. Where do sweet potatoes grow best?
Sweet potatoes grow best in a sunny spot with airy, well-draining, and compost-rich soil. They also do excellently in a greenhouse or a large pot.
4. How much space do sweet potatoes need?
Keep a distance of 30–40 cm between plants and 75–100 cm between rows. This gives the tubers enough space to develop.
5. How often should you water sweet potatoes?
Water regularly, especially during hot summer days. The soil must remain moist, but prevent the roots from standing in wet soil, as that can cause rot.
6. What fertilizers do sweet potatoes need?
Sweet potatoes grow best in soil enriched with compost or organic fertilizer. Slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal.
7. Can you grow sweet potatoes in a pot?
Yes, you can! Choose a pot of at least 30 liters with good drainage. Place the pot in a sunny spot and provide regular water and nutrients.
8. When can you harvest sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are usually ready to harvest in September or October. Harvest them just before the first frost.
9. How do you store sweet potatoes after harvest?
Let the harvested tubers dry and ‘cure’ for a few days in a warm spot. After that, store them in a dark, dry room. This way, they will keep for several months.
10. Can you make your own slips from a sweet potato?
Yes! Place an organic sweet potato halfway in water. Within a few weeks, shoots will grow that you can cut off and let root. These are the slips you use to grow new plants.
