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Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas · Convolvulaceae
📷 Earth100 · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sweet potato and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Sweet potato
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Plant type
- Annual or perennial herbaceous plant depending on climate
- Growth habit
- Trailing, twining stems 1 to 3 m long
- Foliage
- Deciduous, heart-shaped, dark green to purple depending on variety
- Flowering
- Summer to autumn, funnel-shaped flowers in white, pink or violet
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, grown as annual in temperate climates (prefers 20–30 °C)
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical America
Expert tips
The key tip
Plante la batate dans un substrat bien drainant (sable + terreau), car elle craint l'asphyxie racinaire bien plus que la sécheresse. Arrose régulièrement en croissance, mais laisse sécher entre deux apports : une terre constamment humide pourrit les tubercules avant même la récolte. Dès la formation des renflements (visible après 2-3 mois), réduis l'azote pour favoriser l'accumulation de sucres.
The common mistake
La plupart des jardiniers noyent leur batate sous prétexte que c'est une plante tropicale : l'excès d'eau provoque la pourriture des tubercules et arrête la tubérisation. C'est le piège classique qui tue plus de batates que la sécheresse.
The pro's trick
Utilise du paillis minéral (graviers) plutôt que du paillis organique autour de la base : cela régule l'humidité sans étouffer et prévient les pourrissements au collet. Bonus : les tubercules restent plus sains et plus facilement déterrables à la récolte.
Seasonal watch
En automne, surveille l'humidité de l'air qui baisse : les feuilles jaunissent souvent par carence relative en potassium liée à la fin du cycle. Accélère la récolte dès que les feuilles commencent à pâlir (septembre-octobre dans l'hémisphère nord) plutôt que d'attendre ; les tubercules déjà formés ne grossissent plus vraiment après.
Care
Light and climate
Plant your sweet potato in full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It thrives in warm, humid climates, between 20 and 30 °C. In temperate regions, grow it as an annual or under shelter during the cold season, in a pot that you'll bring indoors before frost.
Soil and planting
Prepare loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, slightly acidic to neutral. Plant stem cuttings or sprouted tubers in April–May, spaced 30 to 40 cm apart, in raised mounds to promote drainage. Adding compost before planting is beneficial.
Watering
Water regularly and moderately during the first months to establish young plants. Once established, gradually reduce watering: sweet potato prefers a light regime, even dry towards the end of the growing season. Avoid excess water, which promotes disease and reduces tuber quality.
Feeding
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer at planting time. After 6 to 8 weeks, a moderate second application supports foliage growth. Excess nitrogen favors leaves at the expense of tuber formation; reduce applications late in the season.
Training and pruning
Pruning is generally not necessary. You can pinch stem tips to encourage a compact habit or encourage branching. Maintain good spacing between plants to improve air circulation and prevent disease.
Disease prevention
Watch for powdery mildew and fungal rots, favored by excessive moisture. Check for aphids and whiteflies. Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and maintain proper spacing. Remove affected parts promptly and practice crop rotation.
Did you know?
Sweet potato was domesticated in Central America over 8,000 years ago, long before maize or potato. Spanish explorers introduced it to the Philippines in the 16th century, from where it spread to Southeast Asia and Africa. Today, China and Africa are the world's leading producers, and it remains a staple crop for millions of people.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.