Sweet Potato Vines

Uses:

Colorful Foliage For Containers
Container Filler & Spiller
Groundcover

Features:

Beautiful Foliage Interest
Mounding Growth With Long, Trailing Stems
Edible Tubers if Desired

Sunlight:

Partial Sun to Full Sun
4+ Hours of Direct Sun Per Day

Grow sweet potato vines, a relative of edible sweet potatoes, for its beautiful foliage and trailing habit to brighten garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets.

Why Buy Sweet Potato Vines Online

Sweet potato vine lends a tropical feel to outdoor spaces and comes in greens, golds, red, browns and dark purples. We sell those colors, plus a tricolor, or variegated variety. With tolerance of full to partial sun and no flowers to deadhead, this is an excellent way to fill a hanging basket or bed with all-season color. Although the tubers are edible, they aren’t tasty or meant for that purpose, and the leaves can be toxic.

Grow as a brilliant foliage container spiller

Place the vine near a trellis to grow up and wind around the structure

Available in 6 colors

Typically about 10-16 inches tall and trail up to 6-10 feet

Growing zone 11, annual in other zones

About Sweet Potato Vines

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black Sweet Potato Vine

Genus

Species

Family

Ipomoea

Ipomoea batatas

Convolvulaceae

Common Names:

Ornamental Sweet Potato

Native To:

Central America, South America

Plant Type:

Annuals

Foliage Type:

Herbaceous

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flower Color:

Purple, Pink

Flower Bloom Time:

Summer to Fall

Growth Habit:

Spreading, Trailing, Ground Cover

Attracts:

Butterflies

Tolerates:

Heat, Humidity, Poor Soil (with good drainage)

Resists:

Deer, Rabbits

How To Use Sweet Potato Vine In The Garden

Sweet potato vines are appreciated for their ornamental foliage, which comes in a spectrum of striking colors, including chartreuse, deep purple, and variegated tones. The stems can grow to 16 inches high and trail or spread up to 4+ feet. These plants are fast-growing and thrive in warm conditions, making them a dependable choice for quick ground coverage. While primarily known for their decorative leaves, they can also produce small flowers, adding extra color and interest.

These vines are ideal for cascading over the edges of containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes, adding depth and softness to arrangements. They can also be used as ground cover to fill in spaces or contrast with other plants. Interwoven with taller specimens, they create layered planting schemes for both formal and casual garden designs.

Sweet Potato Vine Care

Sweet potato vines prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter and grow best when planted in warm temperatures after the risk of frost has passed. Ensure the planting site has good drainage to prevent root rot. These plants need consistent watering, especially during dry spells, but the soil should not become oversaturated. Fertilizing with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can encourage healthy foliage. Full sun supports faster growth, though partial shade is tolerated, particularly in hotter climates.

Pruning helps maintain the shape and encourages fuller growth, especially if vines become scraggly. As winter approaches, sweet potato vines in cooler regions should be treated as annuals or brought indoors to overwinter in a frost-free area. Growing in containers is an excellent option, allowing for easier mobility and control over soil conditions. Regular trimming of the vines in containers prevents overcrowding and supports a tidy, compact appearance.

Learn More About Sweet Potato Vine Care