I’ve always loved growing my own food, but living in a place with limited outdoor space made it challenging. That’s when I discovered that sweet potatoes can grow beautifully in containers indoors. If you think you need a big garden for this, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to grow these delicious and nutritious tubers right inside your home.
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Sweet potatoes don’t just provide a tasty harvest; their lush green vines also make them a beautiful indoor plant. With the right setup, you can enjoy homegrown sweet potatoes year-round. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned—from choosing the right container to harvesting your own sweet potatoes.
Why Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers Indoors?
Growing sweet potatoes indoors offers several advantages, especially if you don’t have access to a large garden. Here’s why it’s a great idea:
- Perfect for small spaces – You only need a sunny spot to grow them.
- Year-round growing – No worries about outdoor weather conditions.
- Fewer pests and diseases – Indoor gardening keeps your plants safer.
- Doubles as a houseplant – The vines look beautiful draping over shelves or windowsills.
Now, let’s dive into how you can successfully grow sweet potatoes in containers indoors.
Choosing the Right Container
Since sweet potatoes are root vegetables, they need plenty of room for the tubers to grow. The right container will ensure a healthy yield.
What to look for in a container:
- Size matters – A minimum of 10 gallons is best, but bigger is always better.
- Depth is key – At least 12-18 inches deep to allow the roots to expand.
- Drainage is essential – Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
I recommend using a fabric grow bag or a plastic tub with drainage holes. Fabric pots allow better airflow, which helps prevent rot.
Selecting the Best Sweet Potato Variety
Not all sweet potatoes are suited for container growing. Some varieties work better than others, especially indoors.
Here are a few great options:
- Beauregard – Fast-growing and high-yielding.
- Georgia Jet – A great option for a shorter growing season.
- Purple Majesty – Produces beautiful purple flesh with a sweet taste.
- Vardaman – A bush variety that’s perfect for small spaces.
Choose slip-grown sweet potatoes instead of seed potatoes. Sweet potatoes grow from slips, which are small sprouts that come from a mature sweet potato.
How to Grow Sweet Potato Slips
Before you can plant sweet potatoes, you’ll need to grow slips. This is the fun part!
How to start slips from a sweet potato:
- Take a healthy, organic sweet potato and cut it in half.
- Place each half in a jar of water with the cut side down.
- Position the jar in a warm, sunny spot, like a windowsill.
- In 2-4 weeks, small green sprouts (slips) will start growing.
- Once the slips reach 5-6 inches long, gently twist them off the potato.
- Place the slips in water for a few days until they develop roots.
Once your slips have strong roots, they’re ready to be planted in containers!
Planting Sweet Potatoes in Containers
Now that your slips are ready, it’s time to plant them in your container.
Step-by-step planting guide:
- Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix—a blend of compost, sand, and coconut coir works great.
- Plant the slips about 3-4 inches deep, spacing them 8-10 inches apart if using a large container.
- Water thoroughly after planting to help the roots settle.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location—at least 6-8 hoburs of sunlight per day. If you lack natural sunlight, use a grow light.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy to prevent rot.
Taking Care of Your Indoor Sweet Potato Plant
Growing sweet potatoes indoors requires consistent care to get a great harvest.
Light Requirements
Sweet potatoes love warmth and sunlight. Place them near a south-facing window or under a full-spectrum grow light for at least 8-10 hours a day.
Watering Needs
- Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering.
- Use a finger test—if the top inch of soil is dry, it’s time to water.
- Reduce watering as the plants mature to encourage tuber development.
Fertilizing
Sweet potatoes don’t need heavy fertilization, but a light feeding helps.
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
- Once tubers start forming, switch to a potassium-rich fertilizer (like compost tea or banana peel fertilizer).
Training the Vines
Sweet potato vines love to spread. If space is tight, you can train them up a trellis or stake. If you let them cascade down, they make a beautiful houseplant while growing.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Sweet Potatoes Indoors?
Sweet potatoes take time to grow, but the wait is worth it. Here’s a general timeline:
| Growth Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Slips sprouting | 2-4 weeks |
| Planting slips | After roots form |
| Vine growth | 2-3 months |
| Tuber development | 3-5 months |
| Harvesting | 4-6 months |
Patience is key! The longer you let sweet potatoes grow, the bigger they will be.
How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes in Containers
After 4-6 months, your sweet potatoes should be ready to harvest. The leaves may start turning yellow, signaling that the tubers are mature.
How to harvest:
- Stop watering a week before harvesting to let the tubers harden.
- Carefully dig into the soil with your hands to avoid damaging the sweet potatoes.
- Shake off excess soil and let them cure in a warm, dry place for 7-10 days.
Curing is important because it improves sweetness and storage life.
Storing Your Harvest
Once cured, store your sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place. A temperature of 55-60°F is ideal. Avoid the refrigerator, as cold temperatures ruin the texture.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Even with careful attention, you might run into a few challenges. Here’s how to handle them:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Small tubers | Not enough sunlight | Move to a sunnier spot or use grow lights |
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering | Reduce watering and check drainage |
| No tubers forming | Too much nitrogen | Stop fertilizing or use low-nitrogen fertilizer |
| Wilting vines | Root rot | Ensure proper drainage and avoid soggy soil |
FAQs
Can sweet potatoes grow indoors year-round?
Yes! As long as they have enough light and warmth, they will grow year-round.
How many sweet potatoes can I get from one container?
A 10-gallon container can yield 5-10 medium-sized sweet potatoes.
Do sweet potato plants need pollination indoors?
No, sweet potatoes are grown from tubers, so pollination isn’t needed.
Can I regrow sweet potatoes from a store-bought one?
Yes! Just make sure to choose an organic sweet potato since some store-bought ones are treated with sprout inhibitors.
Conclusion
Growing sweet potatoes indoors in containers is fun, rewarding, and surprisingly easy. With the right container, good lighting, and proper care, you can enjoy a steady harvest of delicious sweet potatoes right from your home. Plus, the beautiful vines will add a touch of greenery to your space.
If you’ve never tried it before, now is the perfect time to start. With patience and care, you’ll soon be harvesting your own sweet potatoes—no backyard needed!
I’m Marissa Lynn, the proud author behind GardeningProperty.com! With a deep-rooted passion for all things green and growing, I’ve dedicated years to mastering the art and science of gardening.
From nurturing vibrant flowerbeds to cultivating thriving vegetable gardens, I love sharing practical tips, creative ideas, and proven techniques to help others create their dream outdoor spaces.