Growing Sweet Potato, also Kumara

Ipomoea batatas : Convolvulaceae / the morning glory family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Plant shoots or cuttings (Slips). Best planted at soil temperatures between 17°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

13 Sep 20, Adrienne (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can you plant an whole kumera in a container and get a crop?
14 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes you can but you don't need a whole kumera, a piece of vine will do. A piece about 30-60cm long of the new vine growth. Place in a trench with the tip sticking out of the soil, water twice a day for the first 2-3 weeks.
17 Sep 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Or depending on how big the spud is, cut it into several pieces and let them dry in the sun for a few days then plant them.
31 Aug 20, ganaa (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
how can i plant in in the polar? (Gardenate ; Not recommended for growing in Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic regions)
10 Aug 20, Nicky Holmes (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi can you please tell me if Dunedin is the right temperature to grow Kumars outdoors or is it to cold? Thanks.
11 Aug 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go to Sweet potatoes/ Kumara page, temperate climate zone and check the planting calendar.
29 Jun 20, John Martin Barger (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I have a sweet potato that has sprouted pretty heavily on my kitchen counter. I live in Memphis, TN. Is there any chance of having success if I were to plant it now? Or is it too late in season?
23 Jun 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Where I live (Australia) they grow it from just a piece of the growing vine - a slip. Either put them in water until they produce roots or straight into the ground and keep watered. Take a piece about 18cm (6 - 8 inches).
30 Jun 20, Betty (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I'm just next door in Arkansas and will be planting some slips from one in my kitchen today (June 30). We have just enough time before frost to make decent sweet potatoes. You know we can eat the leaves like spinach as well? My (American) kids grew up in SE Asia and thought sweet potato leaves were a variety spinach.
05 Apr 20, Pam Adam (Australia - tropical climate)
I have sweet potato growing. Is it okay to cut away the continuous runners it is producing?
Showing 61 - 70 of 311 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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