Sweet Potato.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Perennial vegetable

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

6 to 10 feet long

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to encourage healthy tuber development. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Provide plenty of space for the vines to sprawl or climb.

Riego

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Abonado

Use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Poda

Trim back long vines if they start to overtake your garden space.

Trasplante

Repot only if you are growing them in containers and the roots become crowded.

Suelo

Well draining sandy loam

pH del suelo

5.5 to 6.5

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Tender perennial, often grown as an annual.

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Baja

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered non toxic, but ingestion of large amounts of raw foliage is not recommended.

Niños

The tubers are firm and could pose a choking hazard if eaten raw by small children.

Alérgenos por contacto

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the milky sap.

Alérgenos en el aire

There are no notable airborne allergy risks associated with this plant.

Comestibilidad

Only specific cultivars are bred for edible tubers, while ornamental varieties may not taste good or could be treated with chemicals.

Cómo identificarla

• Heart shaped or lobed green leaves
• Vining stems that spread quickly
• Edible starchy tubers underground
• Trumpet shaped flowers in some varieties

Altura

0,15 a 0,3m

Anchura

0,6 a 2m

Hojas

green, purple, bronze, variegated, deciduous

Flores

pink, white, lavender, 4 a 6cm

Frutos

brown, tan, red, purple, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Sweet potato weevil — Small beetles that tunnel into the tubers and stems.
• Fungal leaf spot — Dark spots appearing on leaves often due to high humidity.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, division

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

In cold climates, lift the tubers in autumn after the foliage dies back. Store them in a box with peat moss in a cool, frost free location until spring.

En maceta

They grow exceptionally well in containers, requiring at least a 30 centimeter wide pot for healthy root development.

Plant them in mounds to ensure good drainage for the developing tubers.

Buenas compañeras

• Maíz — The tall stalks provide a structure for the vines to climb if desired.
• Caléndula — They help deter soil pests that might bother the roots.

Especies parecidas

• Common morning glory — A close relative grown primarily for its showy flowers.

Ciencia

Familia

Convolvulaceae

Género

Ipomoea

Orden

Solanales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical regions of the Americas.

Conservación

This plant is widely cultivated and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in warm, sunny environments and spreads rapidly across the ground to outcompete weeds.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas, polillas

Usos

ground cover, container plant, edible tuber, hanging basket

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I eat the tubers of ornamental sweet potato vines?

While technically edible, they are often bred for leaf color rather than flavor and may be bitter.

How do I overwinter them?

Dig up the tubers before the first frost, clean them, and store them in a cool, dark place.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Ipomoea comes from the Greek words for worm and likeness, referring to the twining habit of the stems.

Bueno saberlo

• Sweet potatoes are not related to true yams.
• The leaves are edible and often used in stir fries.
• They grow very quickly in warm weather.
• They were domesticated in Central and South America thousands of years ago.