Learn all about Growing Sweet Potatoes in Containers and harvest them fresh for your entire family all year round! It is really easy!
Sweet Potato is a highly nutritious tuber with many health benefits to offer. Growing it in containers can save space and make sure you don’t run out of fresh supplies. Let’s have a look at all the information on Growing Sweet Potatoes in Containers!
Here’s all you need to know about growing potatoes in pots
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Pots?
First, suspend the tubers using toothpicks in a glass of water and let them form roots. Then, transfer them in pots. Here’s a nice video for guidance.
Unlike regular potatoes that grow best in a cooler climate, Sweet potatoes like it hot. They are tropical plants sensitive to colder temperatures. This tuber needs a temperature range of 75° to 95°F (24-35°C) during the growing season to thrive best. In warmer climates, many gardeners start planting about a month after the last spring frost.
Usually, most sweet potatoes take about three to four months to grow fully, so plan accordingly to avoid the next first expected frost date.
Best Varieties of Sweet Potatoes to Grow in Pots
Portio Rico and Vardaman are the best varieties to cultivate in pots. They are easy to manage and also provide plenty of harvest!
Check out our article on growing potatoes here
Choosing a Container
As it is a root vegetable, it will be a good idea to get a deep container. Start the plant in 14-16 inches of pot. You can also use grow bags.
Requirements for Growing Sweet Potatoes in Pots
Location
Select a bright and sunny spot for the best growth. Make sure that the plants get at least 2-4 hours of direct sunlight every day.
While growing the plant in warmer climates, the ideal location would be a warm spot away from the direct sunlight.
Soil
Use loamy and slightly acidic soil with a pH value range of 5.5-6.6. Opt for a high-quality soil mix and amend it with plenty of organic matter.
Watering
Water the plant once in 2-4 days, depending on the weather and the moisture on the topsoil. Do not let the growing medium dry out completely.
Remember not to overwater.
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Sweet Potatoes Care
Fertilizing
If you want to boos the growth and size of the tubers, use a 5-10-10 or 8-24-24 blend, once in 5-7 weeks. Do refer to the label for dosage and instructions.
Mulching
Mulching helps the ground be moist for a more extended period by trapping the moisture in and not allowing the water to evaporate away so quickly. This helps the plant to grow bigger tubers.
Straws, old leaves, black plastics are ideal mulching materials for sweet potatoes.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the common pests that can cause damage to sweet potatoes are stem borer and the white grub. Using a neem oil solution or insecticidal soap will take care of them.
Meanwhile, few common diseases that affect sweet potatoes include Alternaria leaf spot, scab, and black rot. To avoid these diseases, keep the plant in a well-ventilated location, do not overwater, and avoid moistening the foliage.
Check out our article on how to grow sweet cucumbers here
Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
Depending on the variety of sweet potatoes, it takes 3-4 months for the tubers to reach their full growth size. Once you spot the leaves turning yellow, it’s time to start harvesting the plant.
While digging out the sweet potatoes, be extremely careful because they have delicate skin that can easily be bruised or damaged.
How to Use Sweet Potatoes?
- Bake them with dollops of butter and instantly have delicious side dishes such as sweet potato puffs, sweet potato cookies, sweet potato fruit/veggie strips, sweet potato/fruit squeeze, and sweet potato crackers.
- The plant can also be dried and processed to prepare a slightly sweet kind of flour that is not only nutritious but also gluten-free and high in fiber.
- You can also add sweet potatoes to your soups, salads, meals, children’s snacks, and powdered nutrition supplements.
