What Are the Properties of Ipomoea Batatas?

Size and Growth

• Sweet potato vine is a trailing herbaceous vine. When growing prostrate or cascading over a pot or planter, it can reach widths of up to 10 feet. It does not, however, usually exceed 1 foot in height. With training, it can grow upright along a support or trellis. Foliage is large-leaved, averaging 3 inches or more in length. Leaves are pronounced, with deep lobes, and rarely produce flowers or fruits.

Culture

• Sweet potato vines can tolerate conditions ranging from full sun to light shade. Some varieties tolerate full sun better than others. It prefers a soil pH of less than 8.0. They should be planted in a moist but well-drained soil and receive regular waterings. Since they do not produce seeds, propagation is best done by vegetative cuttings. The bulbs can be dug up in the winter and stored, to be replanted again in the following spring.

Pests/Diseases

• Foliage of the sweet potato vine is prone to attract sucking insects such as whiteflies, aphids and thrips. A combination of a systemic insecticide along with a contact insecticide should be used according to label specifications. Roots of the sweet potato vine can develop rot-causing fungus diseases such as Rhizopus, Diplodia, and Fusarium. Weevils and nematodes are also pests of the roots. Purchase tubers, cuttings or transplants from only reputable sources. When using as decoration, plant only in new, clean media. If growing as a crop, practice crop rotation if possible and make sure that the previous year's crop debris has been removed in case it harbors any lingering insect or disease.

Ipomoea as Food Crop

• Ipomoea batatas can be grown as a vegetable. The tuber can be baked, boiled or otherwise cooked. Flour for breads and pastries can be made with dried and ground Ipomoea batatas. In Malaysia, the foliage is eaten as a vegetable. In other parts of the world, the foliage is incorporated into animal feed. In India, it is used as a raw material for the production of various alcohols. In the United States, sweet potatoes produced often end up canned or in baby food.