Sweet Potatoes Planting Guide
Sweet potatoes are a warm-season root crop that produces nutritious, sweet tubers in orange, white, and purple varieties. They need a long, hot growing season.
Ipomoea batatas · Vegetable · Convolvulaceae family · 90–120 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Sweet Potatoes Planting Dates
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Where Can You Grow Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet Potatoes Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Sweet Potatoes planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | Feb 28 | May 2 | May 9 | Aug 8 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 5b | Feb 21 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Aug 1 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 6a | Feb 13 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jul 24 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 6 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jul 17 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 4 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jul 8 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 7b | Jan 28 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jul 1 – Aug 19 |
| Zone 8a | Jan 18 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | Jun 21 – Aug 9 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 7 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Jun 10 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | May 19 – Jul 7 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | May 3 – Jun 21 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 28 |
How to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Convolvulaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Convolvulaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Sweet Potatoes to Grow
Sweet Potatoes takes 90–120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Sweet Potatoes
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes
Plant slips (rooted sprouts) after soil is thoroughly warm. Build raised mounds for better root development. Cure harvested roots at 80-85F for 10 days to develop sweetness.
Saving Sweet Potatoes Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Sweet Potatoes by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) takes 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Sweet Potatoes grow in?
Sweet Potatoes can be grown in USDA zones 5a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Sweet Potatoes need?
Growing Sweet Potatoes requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.