Sweet potato vine

[Walt]

Last summer my wife potted up some small Dracena marginata (in two pots shown in background of below photo) and then planted sweet potato vine around it so the vines would cascade down all around. The vines grew like crazy and we had to trim them back a couple of times. When the colder weather hit, along with the shortened days of winter, the vines sort of petered out and my wife wanted to redo the pot plantings with something else.

Both pots were totally root bound and a real mess. I separated the D. marginata and repotted them separately in other liner pots, because I want to plant them in the ground this spring. I was surprised to find all the sweet potatoes buried within the root masses of each pot.

Does anyone know the species of this Iponoea? Will new vines grow from these potatoes? Can the potatoes be cut in pieces to start new vines? Are the potatoes edible (not that I would dare try them, but just curious)? I did put all the potatoes in a pot and noticed that a racoon or something ate some of one potato.

[Tampa Scott]

Walt, I use the purple color Sweet potato vine as a ground cover in many of my mulched beds. Yes I have replanted the potatos and grown new vines and have cot in half and they have grown new vines. I just cut away the vines in Dec. and they return with warmer weather. I have read that they are edible but I have not tried them and like you don't plan on it. I hear they do not have much flavor. (I do not eat the regular Sweet potato ) Scott

[Eric in Orlando]

They are Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita'. I've read the tubers are edible but never tried them. They do go semi dormant in winter but come back in spring. Give it some room as it is a vigorous spreader and gets well established.

[MattyB]

Good info guys. Is this the purple stuff? I'm using it in my front planter and it's grown very well. It's cascading down to the lower level now and I really like the look. The flowers are small purple bells. I've taken some cuttings and they grow from that as well. It's mid January and they haven't petered out for me yet, but this is a very warm spot next to the house. So I can cut them back and get them to grow back next year? Cool!

[Walt]

Walt, I use the purple color Sweet potato vine as a ground cover in many of my mulched beds. Yes I have replanted the potatos and grown new vines and have cot in half and they have grown new vines. I just cut away the vines in Dec. and they return with warmer weather. I have read that they are edible but I have not tried them and like you don't plan on it. I hear they do not have much flavor. (I do not eat the regular Sweet potato ) Scott

Scott, thanks for the info. I will plant some of those potatoes in various places for effect. My wife through some cuttings several months ago on a bush pile and they rooted in and are growing very well.

[Eric in Orlando]

That one is 'Blackie', with the lobed leaves. There is another dark purple leafed cultivar with heart shaped leaves called 'Black Heart'.

[Walt]

They are Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita'. I've read the tubers are edible but never tried them. They do go semi dormant in winter but come back in spring. Give it some room as it is a vigorous spreader and gets well established.

Eric, that is my fear -- that they might get too well established, like my dreaded potato vine that is taking over so many of my slash pines! But I guess the sweet potato vine doesn't climb, so I should be able to control it better.

[Walt]

Good info guys. Is this the purple stuff? I'm using it in my front planter and it's grown very well. It's cascading down to the lower level now and I really like the look. The flowers are small purple bells. I've taken some cuttings and they grow from that as well. It's mid January and they haven't petered out for me yet, but this is a very warm spot next to the house. So I can cut them back and get them to grow back next year? Cool!

No, Matt, that ain't it. However, that is nice looking, what ever plant that is.

[palmmermaid]

Sorry to burst your bubble but they do climb! I made the mistake of planting some and they went wild. Climbed right out of the pots and baskets. I've been pulling them up ever since. I think I've finally killed them all. Another one I won't plant again.

This is not the same as the air potato that is covering parts of south Florida. It is a terribly invasive plant. Covers trees, fences, houses, everything. Not as bad as the Lycodium but close.

[kahili]

That is a ornamental sweet potato that MattyB has. Not sure if it is Blackie-doesn't look quite like it, but it may be that cultivar. Blackie's older leaves turn a reddish color before they die, so thats one way to tell. I have never grown Ace of Spades, but I am thinking that it may be that one. Also, I can see some purple blooms on his, which is kind of neat, as that is rather unusual for this plant.

By the way, Eric in Orlando-I was talking to Heather at Agristarts (she is new there), placing an order and we were talking about palms ( I and a friend had just spent 6 hrs each covering a lot of palms in my yard for the 8-11 degree night) and she mentioned you! Said how nice and down to earth you were, so I figured I would pass on the compliment!

[Tampa Scott]

This is the one I am growing.

[Eric in Orlando]

That is a ornamental sweet potato that MattyB has. Not sure if it is Blackie-doesn't look quite like it, but it may be that cultivar. Blackie's older leaves turn a reddish color before they die, so thats one way to tell. I have never grown Ace of Spades, but I am thinking that it may be that one. Also, I can see some purple blooms on his, which is kind of neat, as that is rather unusual for this plant.

By the way, Eric in Orlando-I was talking to Heather at Agristarts (she is new there), placing an order and we were talking about palms ( I and a friend had just spent 6 hrs each covering a lot of palms in my yard for the 8-11 degree night) and she mentioned you! Said how nice and down to earth you were, so I figured I would pass on the compliment!

Well the people at Agristarts are really nice, too. Agristarts has been a good friend to Leu Gardens. Its a really good place and lots of unusual plants.