Ornamental sweet potato vines are in the same family as edible sweet potatoes and are in fact the same species.
Sweet potato vine potato plant flower.
Where freezing temperatures occur this means putting the plant in a greenhouse or indoors for the winter.
When growing ornamental sweet potato vines there are a number of varieties to choose from.
They are bred for the beauty of their leaves rather than edible tubers and the vines from these plants make them look more like a morning glory or clematis than a member of the potato family.
One of the easiest ways to create multi seasonal interest in the garden is to use plants with interesting foliage.
Types of ornamental sweet potatoes.
Sweet potato vine ipomoea batatas named for its edible cousin is an ornamental warm season annual grown for its attractive leaves and vining habit the foliage lends a tropical feel to the garden and comes in a range of colors and varying forms.
The ornamental varieties are simply cultivars of the species plant.
They can also be grown outdoors as annual ground cover in flower beds.
The potato vine plant is a decorative climber of walls or.
If the energy of the plant is going to flower growth and production then other areas like the tubers will suffer.
While the ornamental sweet potato plants don t often flower when blackie does it produces lavender or purple trumpet like flowers.
Sweet potatoes flower best when days are short during winter.
Despite most people s assumptions this is not a plant children grow by sprouting a potato s eyes.
Rather it is a vine that grows up to 25 feet long that boasts an almost perpetual display of showy blue white blossoms.
Ipomoea batatas sweet caroline this variety is not just one coloration of plant but includes five separate color options yellowish green red purple bronze and light green varieties are available.
The vigorous growth and drought tolerance of ornamental sweet potato vines makes them great choices for mixed containers and hanging baskets.
With edible sweet potatoes as with most root crops and herbs it is important to remove any flowers.
Edible sweet potato vines and some ornamental varieties bloom with flowers that resemble morning glories in shape but some ornamental sweet potato vines do not flower according to missouri.