Grow Sweet Potatoes from Sweet Potato: Complete Guide

Yes, you can successfully grow sweet potatoes from a store-bought sweet potato using the slip propagation method. This beginner-friendly technique requires only a few household items, takes 4-6 weeks to produce plantable slips, and yields harvestable tubers in 90-170 days depending on variety and climate conditions.

Why Propagate Sweet Potatoes from Existing Tubers

Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) aren't true potatoes but belong to the morning glory family. Unlike regular potatoes that grow from "seed" potatoes, sweet potatoes reproduce vegetatively through slips - sprouts that emerge from the tuber. This propagation method preserves the exact genetic characteristics of your parent sweet potato, ensuring consistent flavor and growth habits.

According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, sweet potato slip propagation has been the preferred method for home gardeners since the crop's domestication in Central and South America over 5,000 years ago. This technique works because sweet potatoes naturally develop adventitious buds that can form complete plants when given proper conditions.

Materials You'll Need for Success

Before starting your sweet potato propagation journey, gather these essential items:

• 1-2 organic sweet potatoes (non-organic may have growth inhibitors)
• Jars or glasses (mason jars work perfectly)
• Toothpicks for suspension
• Well-draining potting mix
• Containers with drainage holes (5-gallon buckets work well)
• Watering can
• Optional: Rooting hormone for faster establishment

Pro tip: Choose sweet potatoes with multiple eyes (the small indentations where sprouts emerge). Varieties like 'Beauregard', 'Georgia Jet', or 'Vardaman' typically produce vigorous slips ideal for home growing.

Step-by-Step Sweet Potato Propagation Process

Creating Sweet Potato Slips (Weeks 1-4)

This critical phase develops the plantable slips from your parent tuber:

1. Prepare the sweet potato: Wash thoroughly and remove any sprouts that may have already formed
2. Suspend in water: Place half-submerged in a jar using toothpicks to hold it in place (root end down)
3. Provide warmth and light: Place in a sunny windowsill maintaining 75-80°F (24-27°C)
4. Change water regularly: Refresh every 2-3 days to prevent bacterial growth
5. Wait for slips to develop: In 2-4 weeks, green sprouts (slips) will emerge from the top

When slips reach 6-8 inches with several leaves, they're ready for the next stage. Don't pull them off - this damages the developing roots. Instead, gently twist slips from the parent potato.

Rooting Your Slips (Weeks 4-6)

Before planting in soil, your slips need developed root systems:

• Place slips in shallow water, ensuring only the bottom 1-2 inches are submerged
• Change water every 2-3 days
• Wait 7-10 days until roots are 1-2 inches long
• Optional: Dip roots in rooting hormone for faster establishment

Slip Development Stage	Timeline	Key Indicators
Initial sprouting	7-14 days	Small green nubs emerging from eyes
Slip growth	2-4 weeks	6-8 inch stems with multiple leaves
Root development	7-10 days	1-2 inch white roots visible
Planting readiness	6-8 weeks	Strong root system, vibrant green leaves

Planting Your Sweet Potato Slips (Week 6+)

Proper planting technique ensures your sweet potatoes thrive:

1. Prepare planting area: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil (pH 5.8-6.2)
2. Amend soil: Mix in 3-4 inches of compost but avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers
3. Create mounds: Form 8-10 inch high hills 12-18 inches apart
4. Plant slips: Bury 3-4 inches deep, leaving leaves above soil
5. Water thoroughly: Keep soil moist but not soggy for first week

According to University of Illinois Extension, sweet potatoes require consistent moisture during the first 30 days after planting, then benefit from slightly drier conditions as tubers develop. Overwatering during tuber formation can cause splitting and reduce storage quality.

Sweet Potato Growth Timeline and Care Requirements

Understanding the growth stages helps you provide appropriate care throughout the season:

Vegetative Growth Phase (Weeks 6-12)

During this period, your plants focus on developing vines and leaves. Key care requirements:

• Water: 1 inch per week (more during drought)
• Weeding: Hand-pull weeds to avoid root damage
• Pest monitoring: Check for sweet potato weevils and flea beetles
• Fertilizing: None needed if soil was properly amended

Tuber Development Phase (Weeks 12-20)

This critical phase determines your harvest size and quality:

• Reduce watering slightly to encourage tuber formation
• Avoid disturbing vines (they produce additional tubers)
• Monitor for signs of nutrient deficiency (yellowing leaves)
• Stop all watering 2-3 weeks before harvest

Troubleshooting Common Sweet Potato Growing Problems

Yellowing Leaves

While some yellowing is normal in mature plants, widespread yellowing indicates problems:

• Nitrogen excess: Too much nitrogen promotes vine growth at expense of tubers
• Iron deficiency: Shows as yellowing between veins (common in alkaline soils)
• Overwatering: Causes root rot and nutrient uptake issues

Solution: Test soil pH and adjust to 5.8-6.2 range. Apply chelated iron if deficient. Reduce watering frequency.

Poor Tuber Development

If your plants produce lush vines but small tubers:

• Planting too deep (limit to 4 inches maximum)
• Excess nitrogen in soil
• Insufficient sunlight (needs 6+ hours daily)
• Harvesting too early (most varieties need 90+ days)

Harvesting and Curing Your Homegrown Sweet Potatoes

Proper harvesting and curing dramatically improves flavor and storage life:

1. Timing: Harvest when leaves begin yellowing (typically 90-170 days after planting)
2. Digging technique: Use a garden fork to loosen soil 8-10 inches from plant
3. Curing process: Store at 85-95°F with 85-90% humidity for 5-10 days
4. Long-term storage: Move to 55-60°F with 75-80% humidity after curing

The Oregon State University Extension confirms that properly cured sweet potatoes develop higher sugar content and better flavor than uncured tubers. Curing allows wounds to heal and converts starches to sugars, enhancing both taste and storage longevity.

Maximizing Your Sweet Potato Harvest

For larger yields and better quality:

• Pinch back vine tips when plants reach 18 inches to encourage bushier growth
• Apply mulch to maintain consistent soil moisture
• Rotate planting locations annually to prevent disease buildup
• Try container growing for limited-space gardens (use 5-gallon buckets)
• Save some tubers for next year's planting stock

Remember that sweet potatoes are frost-sensitive. In cooler climates, consider using black plastic mulch to warm the soil or growing in containers that can be moved indoors if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow sweet potatoes from any grocery store sweet potato?

While possible, organic sweet potatoes work best as conventional ones often contain sprout inhibitors. Choose firm tubers with multiple eyes for highest success rate. Avoid sweet potatoes showing signs of decay or shriveling.

How long does it take to grow sweet potatoes from slips to harvest?

Most sweet potato varieties require 90-170 days from planting slips to harvest, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Warmer climates with longer growing seasons typically yield larger harvests. The slips themselves take 4-6 weeks to develop before planting.

Why are my sweet potato slips not developing roots?

Slips may fail to root due to water temperature below 70°F, insufficient light, or using non-organic sweet potatoes treated with sprout inhibitors. Change water every 2-3 days and ensure slips receive 6+ hours of indirect sunlight daily. Try using a different sweet potato if problems persist.

Can sweet potatoes be grown in containers successfully?

Yes, sweet potatoes grow well in containers with proper drainage. Use 5-gallon buckets filled with well-draining potting mix. Plant 1-2 slips per container, keeping soil consistently moist. Container-grown sweet potatoes may yield slightly smaller tubers but offer excellent results with proper care.

What's the best way to store harvested sweet potatoes?

After curing for 5-10 days at 85-95°F with 85-90% humidity, store sweet potatoes at 55-60°F with 75-80% humidity. Never refrigerate, as cold temperatures damage the tubers. Properly stored sweet potatoes can last 4-6 months in a cool, dark location with good ventilation.