Sweet potatoes are vigorous, running plants that will easily exceed their allotted space in the garden if not kept under control. They should be grown in mounds, much the way one would grow potatoes. They are extremely cold sensitive and should be planted after the soil has warmed in the spring and harvested before the first frost in the fall.
Latin Name
Ipomoea batatas
Family
Convolvulaceae
Also Known As
Yam
Type of Plant
Annuals
Vegetables
Vines
Seasons
Summer
Fall
Specifications
Max Height: 1'
Max Spread: 10'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Tolerances
Colors
Native Range
Indonesia
History
George Washington planted sweet potatoes at Muddy Hole in April of 1787.
Other Details
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
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