How to Propagate Sweet Potatoes
Step-by-step instructions for propagating sweet potatoes indoors. This method uses small containers and potting mix. The slips (stems and leaves) that grow can be transplanted outdoors as new plants.
Makes: 6 slips
Cost: $10.00
Equipment
- 1 Organic potting mix - suitable for food growing
- 1 Wide container - drainage holes recommended
- 1 Food bag or humidity dome - large, clear
Ingredients
- 1 Sweet potato
Instructions
- Carefully rinse sweet potato in warm water.
- Add 1 to 2 inches of moist potting mix to container.
- Lay sweet potato on its side (horizontally) in moist potting mix.
- Cover rest of sweet potato with moist potting mix.
- Add humidity dome or place container in large, clear food bag.
- Place indoors in indirect light with consistent warmth (70-85°F or 21-29°C).
- Check every other day and water potting mix as needed.
- When slips (new stems and leaves) are at least 2-inches long, gently twist them off the sweet potato to root them in water or potting mix. Once the slips have roots, they are ready for transplanting outdoors.
Notes
Timing: If you intend to plant your sweet potato slips in the garden to grow new sweet potatoes, it is recommended to start the propagation process 2 to 3 months before your average last frost in spring. This way, the slips should be ready for transplanting when the risk of frost has passed.
There are many ways to propagate sweet potatoes for new slips and this is just one way.
See the article for propagating in a jar of water.
The potting mix moisture level is right if you can form a ball in your hand and it holds its shape but it's not so damp that water drips out when squeezed.
The sweet potato should start showing signs of growth (roots and/or shoots) in the first 7 to 14 days.
Not all sweet potatoes will propagate. Some have been treated with growth retardants to prevent this from happening in storage or stores.
If you can, start several at once to ensure at least a few succeed.
You can also continue growing the slips indoors as short-lived houseplants.
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