How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: A Simple Guide
Sweet potatoes are one of those crops that make you feel like a gardening pro, even if you’re just starting out. They don’t need a ton of pampering, they give you a big harvest, and they taste amazing. Plus, they store well, so you can enjoy your homegrown sweet potatoes for months. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a few containers on a patio, you can absolutely grow sweet potatoes. Let’s take it step by step how to grow sweet potatoes .
Why Grow Sweet Potatoes?

Before we dig in , let’s talk about why sweet potatoes are such a great crop to grow:
- Low maintenance: They don’t need much attention once they’re established.
- Nutrient-rich: Contains vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Heat-loving: Perfect for warm climates but can be grown almost anywhere with a long enough season.
- Great for storage: Unlike regular potatoes, they keep for months without sprouting.
Alright, now that you’re convinced, let’s get into how to grow them.
Step 1. How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Choosing the Right Sweet Potato Varieties
Not all sweet potatoes are created equal. Some are better suited for certain climates, and others have different flavors and textures. Here are a few common varieties:
- Beauregard – One of the most popular varieties, fast-growing with bright orange flesh.

- Georgia Jet – Super quick to mature, great for northern climates.

- Covington – Known for its sweetness and smooth texture.

- Purple Sweet Potatoes – If you’re looking for something different, these have deep purple flesh and are packed with antioxidants.

Step 2. How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Getting Sweet Potato Slips
Unlike regular potatoes, you don’t plant a whole sweet potato—you plant slips. Slips are basically little sprouts that grow from a sweet potato.
How to Make Your Own Slips


- Get a healthy, organic sweet potato (store-bought ones may be treated to prevent sprouting).
- Cut it in half and place it in water with the cut side down, using toothpicks to hold it up if needed.
- Keep it in a warm area with indirect sunshine.
- In a couple of weeks, you’ll see little shoots growing. Once they’re about 6 inches long, carefully twist them off.
- Place the slips in water until they develop roots, which usually takes a few days.
If this sounds like too much work, you can also buy slips online or from a garden center.
Step 3.How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Preparing the Soil
Sweet potatoes love loose, well-draining soil. Heavy clay? They’ll struggle. Too much moisture? They’ll rot. Here’s how to get the soil just right:
- Loosen the soil – Use a garden fork or tiller to break up compacted soil to about 12 inches deep.
- Add compost – Mix in compost to improve drainage and provide nutrients.
- Go for raised beds or mounds – If your soil is heavy, plant on ridges or mounds to help with drainage.
- pH matters – Aim for a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
Step 4.How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Planting Sweet Potato Slips


Now for the fun part—planting! Wait until after the last frost when the soil is warm, ideally above 60°F.
- Space your slips about 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
- Bury them deep enough so that only the top leaves are above ground.
- Water well after planting to help them settle in.
Step 5.How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: How to Take Care of Your Sweet Potato Plants
Once they’re planted, sweet potatoes are pretty easygoing, but they do have a few basic needs.
Watering
- Water regularly but don’t overdo it. About 1 inch per week is good.
- Reduce watering a few weeks before harvest to help the roots mature and prevent rot.
Weeding
- Keep weeds under control, especially when the plants are young.
- Once the vines take off, they’ll act as a natural mulch, shading out weeds.
Fertilizing
- Go easy on nitrogen-heavy fertilizers (like manure or high-nitrogen mixes) because too much nitrogen leads to lush vines but small tubers.
- A balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea works well.
Pests and Problems
Sweet potatoes don’t have too many issues, but here are a few common ones:
- Sweet potato weevils – These bugs love sweet potatoes. Rotate crops and use row covers if they’re a problem.



- Wireworms and nematodes – Can damage roots. Crop rotation and healthy soil help keep them at bay.


- Fungal diseases – Good air circulation and well-drained soil help prevent issues like root rot and leaf diseases.


Step 6.How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Harvesting Sweet Potatoes


After about 90 to 120 days (depending on the variety), your sweet potatoes should be ready. You’ll know it’s time when the leaves start to yellow and die back.
- Gently loosen the soil surrounding the plants with a shovel or fork.
- Carefully lift the sweet potatoes—be gentle because they bruise easily.
- Let them dry in the sun for a few hours before bringing them inside.
Step 7: Curing and Storing

Freshly dug sweet potatoes aren’t at their sweetest yet. They need to cure to develop their full flavor.
How to Cure Sweet Potatoes
- Keep them in a warm (80–85°F), humid place for 7–10 days.
- A garage or basement with a small heater and a damp towel nearby can work.
- Once cured, store them in a cool (55–60°F), dry place.
- Avoid the fridge—cold temperatures can turn the starches into unpleasant-tasting sugars.
If stored properly, they can last for 6 months or more.
Final Thoughts
One of the most satisfying gardening endeavors is growing sweet potatoes. They don’t need a lot of fuss, and you’ll end up with a tasty, nutritious crop that lasts long after harvest. Whether you’re growing them in a backyard garden, raised bed, or containers, just follow these steps, and you’ll be pulling up your own homegrown sweet potatoes in no time.
References
- University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources. (n.d.). “Sweet Potatoes in the Home Garden.”
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension. (2021). “Sweet Potato Production Guide.”
- USDA Agricultural Research Service. (2020). “Sweet Potato Storage and Handling.”