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 63°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in Separate bed

Your comments and tips

20 May 11, syd smith (Australia - temperate climate)
the wife looks after our sweetpotato and although she does plant part of the actual potato she mainly gets some of the runners with roots on and plants them in a differant part of the garden and she gets plenty off them,so need to spend money on buying s/pots
17 Mar 11, Kim Davies (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I ate kumara everyday when visiting NZ and loved it! Because it was less sweet than USA sweet potatoes. I am craving it and need to find out how and if I can get seeds and grow it in Virginia? Would love your help on this!
22 Dec 10, neil (Australia - tropical climate)
I read an artical about Sweet Potato/Kumara that planting in wet weather is not a good idea. It went on, to wait until it drys up a little then plant, about April?
04 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate)
hi neil i plant all year round, wet or dry
11 Oct 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Melbourne and a ex Kiwi. Can you tell me please if one is able to but the NZ kumaras here?
02 Feb 12, kate azzopardi (Australia - temperate climate)
yes u can. i've seen them at the dandenong market. i've seen them at only a few stalls towards the back. not knowing what they were, my kiwi friend that was with me filled me in. they're open tues/fri/sat. great for meat and top quaity fruit and vegies..
11 May 11, Carrie (Australia - temperate climate)
I work for a company which sells sweet potato and the Kumaras you talk about sound like what we call Beauregard orange in flesh and skin.
14 Aug 10, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Has anyone had luck planting kumera/sweet potato (any type) in cool zones? If I protect from frost and wind would it be possible..and where to get the plants (especially purple) ?
06 Aug 10, Jo Hyland (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What soil conditions best suit the sweet potato, as far as the pH goes? And are they a high yield plant, or do they produce relatively few tubers, requiring a large crop to be planted? I would like a decent crop, as I go through at least a kilo of them a week - sometimes more.
19 Jul 10, Joanne Lockyer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi we recently went to NZ for a holiday and were quite impressed by Kumara. Where can I located some plants in Australia as we would like to try and grow our own. thanks
Showing 271 - 280 of 308 comments

Bunnings are still selling them here in Adelaide

- Damien Cooke

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.