Crops › Sweet Potato
How to grow Sweet Potato
in the US
Sow May to June, plant out July, harvest August to October. About 110 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Sweet potatoes are a cracking crop, like, proper chuffed when you pull a big one out. They're a medium difficulty plant, but don't let that put you off; the taste of your own homegrown sweet potato is miles better than the shop-bought stuff. On the plot, they sprawl a bit, you know, with those lovely green vines.
Sowing
You don't sow sweet potato seeds, you start 'slips' from a mature tuber. You can get these going a few weeks before your last frost date by suspending a sweet potato in water or burying it halfway in moist soil indoors, maybe on a warm windowsill. Once your slips have roots and some leaves, carefully snap them off. Plant these slips outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in your USDA zone, usually from February in zone 10 right through to June in zones 3 and 4. Aim for about 110 days from planting to harvest.
Growing on
Once your slips are rooted, you'll want to harden them off for a week or so before planting them out after your last frost. Give 'em some proper space, about 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in rows, 'cause those vines really get going. They love a good sunny spot, like, really hot. They'll spread along the ground, so no need for supports, but make sure they've got room to ramble.
Looking after it
Sweet potatoes need consistent watering, especially when they're first getting established and during dry spells. A good mulch helps keep the moisture in and keeps the weeds down, which is always a bonus, you know what I mean. They don't need masses of feeding, just make sure the soil is decent to start with. Let those vines grow, they're busy making those lovely tubers underground.
What goes wrong
To be honest, sweet potatoes are fairly hardy, but you can get a few annoyances. Colorado potato beetles and aphids might have a go at the leaves, so keep an eye out and pick 'em off or spray with a bit of soapy water. Late blight isn't usually a major problem for sweet potatoes compared to regular potatoes, but wireworms can be a nuisance underground, so good soil preparation helps there.
Harvest
You're looking to harvest your sweet potatoes around September or October, or about 110 days after planting, before the first hard frost hits. The leaves might start to yellow a bit, that's a good sign. Dig 'em up carefully with a fork, giving them a wide berth so you don't damage the skins. Cure them for a week or two in a warm, humid spot, then store them in a cool, dry place. You can refrigerate them if you need to, but it's best for short-term storage once cooked.
I always plant a few extra, just in case. And honestly, burying some of the vines where they touch the soil encourages more tubers, it's a cracking trick.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Beauregard Beauregard is a cracking variety of sweet potato, known for being a really reliable performer. It's a popular choice for growers looking for good yields and excellent flavor. | No club votes yet |
| Covington Covington sweet potatoes are another dependable choice for your plot, always delivering a strong performance. These are well-regarded for their smooth texture and sweet taste, good for all sorts of cooking. | No club votes yet |
| Georgia Jet If you're after a quick maturing sweet potato, Georgia Jet is a reliable performer that often gets going faster than others. It's a cracking option for areas with a shorter growing season, giving you proper yields. | No club votes yet |
| Jewel Jewel is a classic sweet potato variety, known for its consistent and reliable performance on the plot. Growers often pick this one for its excellent storage qualities and versatility in the kitchen. | No club votes yet |
| Hannah Hannah sweet potatoes are a reliable performer, offering a unique drier texture and lighter skin. They're a good choice for folks who prefer a less overtly sweet taste, working well in savory dishes. | No club votes yet |
| Murasaki Murasaki is a distinctive sweet potato variety, a reliable performer with lovely purple skin and white flesh. It's got a slightly nutty flavor that's a bit different, great for exploring new tastes. | No club votes yet |
| O'Henry O'Henry sweet potato is a reliable performer, much like the Beauregard but with a paler skin and flesh. This variety offers a milder, less sugary taste, which some people really prefer for balanced meals. | No club votes yet |
| Centennial Centennial sweet potatoes are a reliable performer, giving good yields of orange-fleshed tubers. They're known for their smooth texture and sweet flavor, making them a solid choice for any gardener. | No club votes yet |
| Evangeline Evangeline is a relatively new sweet potato variety, proving itself to be a reliable performer with excellent flavor. It's a good option for those wanting a sweet, moist-fleshed tuber that cooks up beautifully. | No club votes yet |
| Vardaman Vardaman sweet potatoes are a reliable performer, producing tubers with an attractive red skin. This variety is a good all-rounder, offering both decent yields and a sweet, enjoyable flavor. | No club votes yet |
| Bonita Bonita sweet potato is a reliable performer that stands out with its white flesh and drier texture. It's a cracking choice for those who want a less sweet option, great for baking or roasting. | No club votes yet |
| Bayou Belle Bayou Belle is a robust sweet potato variety, a reliable performer known for its disease resistance and high yields. If you're after a dependable plant that can handle a bit more, this one's a good bet. | No club votes yet |
| Orleans Orleans sweet potato is a strong and reliable performer, delivering a good crop of uniformly shaped tubers. It's celebrated for its excellent flavor and smooth texture, making it a favorite for many. | No club votes yet |
| Garnet Garnet sweet potato is a reliable performer, offering deep orange flesh that's packed with flavor. It's a cracking choice for a vibrant addition to your plate, known for its rich, sweet taste. | No club votes yet |
| Porto Rico Porto Rico is a classic sweet potato variety, a truly reliable performer that's been grown for years. It's known for its sweet, orange flesh and good yields, a solid choice for any backyard gardener. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Sweet Potato seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | June | September |
| Zone 4 | June | September to October |
| Zone 5 | May to June | September to October |
| Zone 6 | May to June | August to October |
| Zone 7 | April to June | August to October |
| Zone 8 | April to June | July to October |
| Zone 9 | March to June | July to November |
| Zone 10 | February to June | June to November |
Cook the harvest
A hearty, protein-rich soup where red lentils and cubed sweet potato simmer together in a warmly spiced coconut broth until everything is thick, silky, and satisfying. It takes one pot and about 35 minutes, and it is the kind of soup that can feed a family on a cold night and tastes even better reheated the next day. Finish with a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro.
40 min · easyThe Southern American classic — a smooth, warmly spiced sweet potato custard in a buttery pastry shell that is the definitive dessert of the autumn table. It is richer and more complex than pumpkin pie, with a silkier filling and a depth of flavor from the sweet potatoes that is impossible to fake. Top with fresh whipped cream and serve to universal acclaim.
100 min · mediumA soul food staple with deep roots in the American South, this sweet potato pie is silkier and lighter than pumpkin pie with a warm, spiced custard filling in a flaky butter crust. The natural creaminess of sweet potatoes makes for an exceptionally smooth texture. Served at room temperature, it is the quintessential holiday dessert.
100 min · mediumA deeply aromatic, one-pot vegan curry where sweet potatoes and red lentils simmer together in a fragrant coconut tomato broth loaded with warm spices. The lentils break down to create a thick, hearty sauce that clings to tender sweet potato chunks. Serve over basmati rice with warm naan for a satisfying plant-based dinner.
50 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: beans, corn, cabbage, horseradish, marigolds
Questions people ask
When do you sow Sweet Potato in the US?
Sow Sweet Potato from May to June in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out July, after the last frost.
How long does Sweet Potato take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 110 days, with the harvest August to October.
Which Sweet Potato varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Beauregard, Covington, Georgia Jet, Jewel and more.
Track your Sweet Potato from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.