How to Divide Sweet Potato Vine Bulbs

When perennial plants like the sweet potato vine begin to look ragged and half dead in the center, they're telling you they need to be divided. Other plants may crowd out their neighbors, a sign they need more space. Typically, plants go three to five years between division. Plant the separated sweet potato vine plants in the soil or in containers to enjoy trailing foliage in lush colors.

Spade
Sharp knife

Instructions

- 1
  Dig up your sweet potato bulb or tuber in the late winter to early spring, when the plant is dormant. Use a spade to expose the bulb, and take care not to bruise it when digging.
- 2
  Cut back dead foliage, if any. Gently wash the bulb under water to wash off dirt, so you can see the roots and make better cuts.
- 3
  Divide the sweet potato vine bulb with a sharp knife, cutting the bulb into smaller sections that all have a piece of the root, so they can regrow. The number of sections you can make depends on the size of the bulb.
- 4
  Dig one hole for each new section of sweet potato vine, making the hole twice the width and depth of the bulb.
- 5
  Insert one section of bulb into each hole, with the root end facing the soil. Working one at a time, hold the plant upright so the growing tip, or the part closest to the top of the bulb, remains vertically upright. Push soil over the bulb to plant it.
- 6
  Water the soil to nurture the young bulbs.

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