Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Sweet Potato Vine

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-12 Inches

Mature Spread

18-30 Inches

Container Role ?

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What does this mean?

This shows how the plant is typically used in a container combo — Thriller (tall focal point), Filler (mid-height mass), or Spiller (trailing over the edge).

Tip: match plant habit to the role for the best designs.

Spiller

Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black sweet potato vine earns its keep with a fern-like, palm-leaf silhouette that stays full and sculptural. Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-033SCMP’ matures around 6–12 inches tall and 18–30 inches wide, with stems that can trail up to 30 inches when it has room to spill. Its dense leaves overlap like shingles and give it a billowy, full look. We use it whenever a container needs a dependable dark anchor that won’t get unruly by July.

Heat doesn’t faze this sweet potato vine, and the color stays rich from spring right into fall. The plant grows quickly once settled, making a layered mound that looks clean from every angle in pots or beds. Use it to ground bright flowers, sharpen pastel palettes, or add depth to all-foliage mixes. It also works as a seasonal groundcover where you want bold contrast without constant edging.

Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Care

Grow it in part sun to sun; more sun deepens the purple-black tones, while lower light can bring out extra green in the foliage. Set it out after nights stay warm, and give it space so the canopy can overlap and thicken. Aim for a loose, well-draining potting mix or garden soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.0–7.0). Water thoroughly, then wait until the top 1–2 inches dry before watering again. Feed lightly but regularly in containers (every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer) to keep leaves large and color strong.

If stems start to reach farther than you want, snip them back to a set of leaves—new shoots pop quickly and the mound refills fast. In containers, rotate the pot every week or two so the plant stays even on all sides. Before frost, you can take cuttings to keep it going indoors, or simply enjoy it until cold ends the show.

Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Spacing

In garden beds, space plants 12–18 inches apart for quick coverage without crowding. For a new plant, start with a container at least 12 inches wide; use 14–16 inches if you want that “billowing” look without frequent trimming. Companion picks that play well with its dark foliage and growing conditions include lantana, zinnia, dusty miller, and sedum.

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IPOMBP-GC