How to Grow Sweet Potato Vines From Tubers

You can grow sweet potato vines from the tubers themselves.

Sweet potatoes are a healthy and nutritious vegetable that is native to South America. The potatoes require a long growing season, so are best suited to a Southern climate. The sweet potato vines, which are attractive and used extensively in container gardens, will grow in any climate. Whether growing sweet potato vines in the vegetable garden or in a container on the patio, the vines can be started with cuttings from sweet potato tubers.

Things You'll Need

• Sweet potato
• Glass of water
• Knife

Instructions

1. Place the sweet potato tuber in the glass of water, pointy side down with the upper third of the sweet potato above the top of the glass.

2. Place the sweet potato and glass in a sunny location. Vines will begin to grow from the sweet potato eyes in a few days.

3. When the vines are approximately 6 inches long, remove the tuber from the glass. Cut the tuber into sections, keeping one vine and a portion of the roots in each section.

4. Plant the tubers in a well-drained site in the garden or a patio container.

References

• Tropical Permaculture: How to Grow Sweet Potatoes
• "Gardening Basics for Dummies"; Steven A Frowine; 2007