Sweet potatoes have been taking over our gardens and dinner plates lately, and for good reason! These tasty tubers are super easy to grow and incredibly versatile in the kitchen. But did you know there’s more to them than just dinner? Beyond the edible varieties, there are also stunning ornamental types grown specifically for their gorgeous foliage.
Sweet Potato Blooms
The sweet potato is actually a member of the morning glory family. While it doesn’t have a huge urge to climb upwards, it loves to spread out and cover a lot of ground. You can really see the family resemblance when the edible varieties start to bloom. They produce beautiful, funnel-shaped flowers that are a huge hit with local pollinators. Usually, these blooms are a soft white with a violet blush, though the purple can get a bit more intense depending on your soil’s pH level.
Even though the flowers get pollinated, you won’t usually see seeds ripen because the frost usually hits before they have a chance. These lovely blossoms open up early in the morning and only stay open for a few hours; by late morning, they’ve already closed up and dropped off. Still, a sweet potato plant in full bloom is a gorgeous addition to any flower bed!
Growing Ornamental Varieties
If you’re growing strictly ornamental varieties, don’t expect too many flowers. These types are bred for their foliage, coming in everything from bright chartreuse pointed leaves to deep, dark purples. These sweet potatoes are perfect for window boxes because they can grow long, trailing vines that spill beautifully over the edges.
A sunny spot on the balcony is ideal for them. In fact, they’re one of the few foliage plants that can handle full sun without breaking a sweat. Just make sure to keep the soil consistently moist. If they dry out too much, their growth will stall and those beautiful leaves won’t look nearly as lush.
Propagating with Cuttings
Whether you’re growing them for food or for looks, you can easily propagate sweet potatoes using cuttings to keep them going through the winter. Just make sure to take your cuttings in the fall before the first frost hits. Once the temperature drops below freezing at night, the plants will die back, and it’ll be too late to save any stems.
To start your cuttings, snip off a piece of vine about 8 inches long. Make your cut just below a leaf node, as that’s where the new roots will sprout. Strip the leaves off the bottom third of the cutting and pop it into a glass of fresh water.
Sweet potatoes are fast movers—they usually sprout roots in just a few days! You can typically transplant them into soil within a week. Over the winter, keep your new plants in a bright but cool spot. An unheated (but frost-free) sunroom or a bright garage works perfectly. Water them sparingly during the winter to encourage strong root growth, and you can skip the fertilizer entirely until spring.
