How Big Do Sweet Potato Vines Grow?

Ornamental sweet potato vine is a true sweet potato, and while the tubers are edible, they have no flavor or a bitter taste. Ornamental sweet potato has lush, thick foliage, but before planting, understand how large the vine gets.

Size

According to the University of Illinois, ornamental sweet potato vines grow to a length of 5 to 10 feet, depending on the variety. Choose varieties that have smaller roots, like the Sweet Carolina, for smaller containers.

Uses

Despite the fact that ornamental sweet potato is a vine, it is a poor climber and it cannot easily be trained to grow up a trellis. Instead, leave it in a hanging basket so that the vine trails downward or plant several smaller varieties in window boxes and let the vines hang down.

Varieties

Besides coming in different sizes, ornamental sweet potato also comes in different colors. Choose the Black Heart cultivar for blackish-burgundy coloration, while the Margarita cultivar offers yellow-green foliage. The Pink Frost cultivar produces variegated leaves with a splash of pink in the center.

References

• University of Illinois: Sweet Potato, Ornamental
• University of Wisconsin: Can You Tell Me About the Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine?