Sweet Potato vines are the ornamental plants scientifically known as Ipomoea batatas. They belong to the Convolvulaceae family and are herbaceous perennial plants.
Sweet Potato vines are the cultivars of sweet potato plants that are edible in nature but these vines are not edible rather they are only grown as ornamental plants as they are bitter in taste.
Foliage is formed in a variety of bold colors, including chartreuse, green, bronze, red, brown, burgundy, purple, black, and variegated. The texture of the landscape is enhanced by heart-shaped, deeply lobed, or lacy leaves.
They have beautiful heart shaped leaves. Sweet Potato vines originate from tropical America. They can be grown in USDA hardiness zones of 2-11. Click To TweetThey have beautiful heart shaped leaves. Sweet Potato vines originate from tropical America. They can be grown in USDA hardiness zones of 2-11.
Varieties of Sweet Potato Vine
Desana Lime Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘Desana Lime’
With its bright chartreuse-green foliage, this variety shows off heart-shaped leaves. Growing to a width of four feet.
Illusion Emerald Lace Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘Illusion Emerald Lace’
As a mound-forming variety with finely cut chartreuse leaves, Illusion Emerald Lace presents an interesting look. This variety grows three feet wide.
SolarPower Black Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarPower Black’
Even in the heat of summer, this purple-black sweet potato vine retains its rich color, unlike other dark-leaved varieties that grows upto 3 ft wide..
SolarPower Red Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarPower Red’
Red SolarPower sweet potato vine has rusty-bronze leaf coloring and dense leaves, making it less susceptible to lanky growth and grows upto 3 feet.
SolarPower Lime Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarPower Lime’
SolarPower Lime sweet potato vine tolerates despite warm summers, making it one of the best varieties of sweet potatoes for hot climates that grows upto 12 inches height and 36 inches wide.
SolarTower Black Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarTower Black’
You can hang this vine on arbors, trellises, or any structure adorned with its deep purple leaves. The vine can grow up to 84 inches long.
SolarTower Lime Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas ‘SolarTower Lime’
The bold, colorful vine will liven up sunny arbors, trellises, and other structures! The vine will grow to 84 inches in a season.
Growing and Caring guide
Being versatile in nature, these sweet potato vine plants can be grown in containers, trailing on a wall as well as outdoors on the ground.
The best part about Sweet potato vine is they can be grown in any climatic conditions. So these are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow. Click To TweetThe best part about Sweet potato vine is they can be grown in any climatic conditions. So these are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow.
Although there are some basic requirements that should be taken care of such as soil ,light, temperature and humidity, fertilizer.
Soil
Soil rich in organic matter with well drainage condition is a great soil medium for the growth of Sweet potato vines. These plants mostly prefer well moist soil and a neutral to acidic soil pH for their growth.
Light
As mentioned, these plants can grow in any environment, so they can grow in partial shade and even under full Sun conditions. Rather , if they get the proper amount of Sunshine , then they produce beautiful and vibrant leaf colors.
Temperature and Humidity
As Sweet potato vines belong to tropical climates, this is obvious that they can grow in humid climates. In contrast they can’t tolerate high humidity as any other tropical plants.
These plants can tolerate more Sunshine rather than more heat. Optimum temperature required by the plant is 75 degree fahrenheit. These plants are not frost tolerant.
Water requirements
These plants prefer little moist soil for their growth. So watering will help the plants to have vigorous foliage. Though they can tolerate drought, these plants grow well if they are watered properly.
You should not keep the soil wet as this may lead to various fungal infections in plants. A little moisture that is required for the plant is enough.
Fertilizer
Like every other houseplant or container plant, these too require a fertilizer that consists of all the nutrients in a balanced ratio.
Hence fertilizer application during their growth period proves to be beneficial for the plants as it enhances the blooming. Too much fertilizer application will be harmful for them.
Growing Sweet Potato Vine from seeds
Although it is very rare that sweet potatoes are grown from seeds as these are always grown from cuttings and roots. It is quite difficult to get seeds.
But still if you find seeds to grow these plants at your home then you can definitely follow these steps below.
In order to germinate the seeds must be soaked in warm water for 12 hours. Then spread the seeds on a tray with a 3 inch distance. Spray water on the seeds and then cover it with a plastic towel.
Then keep the tray in a warm environment and when you see seedlings out of the seeds, transfer the tray to a light falling area.
Then you can transplant the sprouts in a container filled with nutritious organic matter.
Propagation
These vines are mainly propagated by cuttings as well as by tubers. Among the two, cuttings is the best way to propagate.
To do propagation pruning shears, water and a place where Sunshine falls. With the help of shears cut the branch with more leaf nodes. From the bottom remove the leaves.
Place it in a jar of water and you will notice roots emerging. During winters you can keep the plants in the water jar in a Sunshine falling area. During spring, transfer the plant into well drained soil with proper moisture and light.
Pests and Diseases
Some pests attack can be seen in these Sweet potato vines such as golden tortoise beetles that create holes in the leaves.
Sweet potato looper, the sweet potato whitefly that leads to stunted growth of plants.Sweet potato weevils causes yellow vines.
Apart from these pests, sweet potato vines are also prone to fungus attack.
Hence, all these pests can be controlled by using plant-based pyrethrin insecticides and fungicides and even these problems can be prevented by taking proper care of the vines.
Fungal infection can be prevented by changing the place of the plant season to season and planting them where fresh air circulates.
Root rot of the plant occurs in dampy soil conditions. So it is best to have a well drained soil medium with proper moisture.
These vines cannot tolerate frost, and if they are exposed to frost then the leaves become blackened .
These vines start showing wilting symptoms when they don’t get enough water. So keep the soil moist but not wet.
Conclusion
These vines are versatile in nature and they have vigorous foliage. In addition to being grown as groundcovers, these vines can also be trained vertically on trellises or trained to fall freely along walls and slopes. They are great choice to be grown as houseplants as well.
So far you must have got a clear idea on how to grow and care for your Sweet Potato vine through this article. Hence you should definitely plant this in your home and enjoy its beauty.
