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
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 |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 11b
Growing Tips
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
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
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.