The Best Way To Grow Sweet Potatoes In Containers For Year-Round Harvests

If you've been interested in growing your own sweet potatoes at home, but have limited space, you should consider planting your root veggies in a container. You can still reap a generous harvest from this growing method, and it's a simple process that even beginner gardeners can achieve. Not only is container-growing a hack for gardeners with smaller beds and spaces, but it also gives you better control over the environment, keeping your vegetables safe from pests such as rodents. You can also maintain a close eye on the soil's pH levels, giving your sweet potatoes ideal growing conditions.

One of the most important factors is choosing the right variety of sweet potato, as some grow large vines that will spill out over your entire garden. You'll also want to make sure you've chosen the correct container and soil type. Choose a container with ample drainage, or you might need to drill holes in the bottom yourself. For sizing, opt for a container that can hold at least 15 to 20 gallons. As long as the bin is at least 12 inches deep, you should have enough room for your sweet potatoes to grow. It is possible to grow these veggies in a five-gallon container, but you just might have a smaller harvest.

When selecting a sweet potato variety, make sure you opt for a type that does not have extensive roots, as you want a variety that can stay put in your chosen container. "Bush" sweet potatoes are recommended for container planting because they are more condensed than other varieties with much shorter vines. Porto Rico and Vardaman are two of the most popular bush sweet potatoes for container gardening, as their vines typically only spread around two feet. Two other common varieties are Beauregard and Centennial. You can also grow ornamental sweet potatoes, or colorful sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas), in containers. These trailing vine plants are mostly used for landscaping, but some can produce small, edible root vegetables.

You will want to select a slightly acidic, loose, and well-draining soil for your sweet potato containers. This means you can add compost or even sand to the mix. You don't need to add any nitrogen to the soil, as this could impact the size of your potatoes. If you're unsure about the contents of your soil, it's best to complete a soil test and adjust accordingly.

First, you'll want to select your number of sweet potato slips based on the size of your container. Slips are rooted cuttings grown from an adult sweet potato. A single sweet potato slip will yield anywhere from three to five tubers. You can purchase slips from a local nursery or grow them yourself from a single sweet potato. Once you have your slip, fill your container with your selected soil and make sure to leave about an inch of space underneath the rim of the container. Make a small hole in the soil, fill it with water, and let the water drain. Then bury one slip inside with the leaves above ground. 

If you opt for a five-gallon container, you will only be able to plant one sweet potato slip, which will yield a handful of veggies. When planting multiple slips in a larger container, keep them spaced apart by about 12 to 18 inches. Water your sweet potatoes daily for the first week and gradually reduce to about once a week, while keeping them in full sun. Your veggies will be ready to harvest in 90 to 120 days.