How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Water: A StepbyStep Guide to Thriving Harvests

ByLarry Hodge Updated

How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Water?

To grow sweet potatoes in water, start by obtaining sweet potato slips.

Look for a healthy organic sweet potato with small thin roots and a larger end with more eyes, which is the sprouting end.

Submerge the rooting half of the sweet potato in water, keeping the sprouting half above the jar.

Maintain the water level and replace it weekly.

Within 1-2 days, roots will begin to develop.

Once the roots are fully formed and several inches long, the slips can be planted 12-18 inches apart and 4 inches deep.

Water well and feed with a phosphorus-rich starter solution.

One sweet potato can produce a dozen or more sprouts.

Key Points:

  • Obtain sweet potato slips
  • Submerge rooting half in water, keeping sprouting half above jar
  • Maintain water level and replace weekly
  • Roots will develop within 1-2 days
  • Plant slips 12-18 inches apart and 4 inches deep
  • Water well and feed with phosphorus-rich starter solution

Did You Know?

1. Did you know that sweet potatoes can actually grow indefinitely in water? Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes have the ability to regenerate roots and produce new growth when submerged in a container of water.

2. Sweet potatoes can be grown from slips, which are small sprouts that develop on the surface of a mature sweet potato. Before planting, you can place the sweet potato in a glass of water and watch as slips begin to form within a few weeks.

3. Many people believe that sweet potatoes are a type of potato due to their similar name, but they are actually not related. Sweet potatoes are members of the morning glory family, while regular potatoes belong to the nightshade family.

4. In addition to being a nutritious food source, sweet potato leaves can also be eaten. They are commonly used in African, Asian, and Caribbean cuisines and are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron.

5. The practice of growing sweet potatoes in water, known as hydroponics, has gained popularity in recent years. This method allows for efficient space utilization and a controlled environment for optimum growth, making it a great option for urban gardening or indoor cultivation.

Growing Sweet Potato Slips: Ordering Or Growing At Home

Growing sweet potatoes in water is an exciting and rewarding gardening project. Before getting started, having the right materials on hand is important. Sweet potato slips, which are rooted sprouts from mature sweet potatoes, are the foundation of your water-grown sweet potatoes. These slips can be ordered online or grown at home, depending on your preferences and availability.

If you choose to order sweet potato slips online, there are several reputable suppliers that offer a variety of sweet potato varieties. It’s recommended to choose slips from organic sources, as they tend to be healthier and less susceptible to diseases. Alternatively, you can grow your own slips at home using organic sweet potatoes that you have purchased or saved from a previous harvest. This method allows you to have full control over the growing process and ensures the highest quality slips for your water-grown sweet potatoes.

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Methods For Growing Sweet Potato Slips: Water, Indoor Soil, And Outdoor Soil

There are three main methods for growing sweet potato slips: the traditional water method, the indoor soil method, and the outdoor soil method. Each method has its own advantages and considerations, allowing you to choose the one that works best for your particular circumstances.

The traditional water method is the most well-known way to grow sweet potato slips in water. It typically takes 6-8 weeks to produce slips using this method and requires frequent changing of water to maintain freshness.

The indoor soil method is a great option for those who prefer a more controlled environment. It takes 4-6 weeks and involves growing sweet potato slips in a container filled with potting soil or seed starting mix.

Lastly, the outdoor soil method is ideal for gardeners in warm climates. This method requires burying sweet potatoes halfway in warm soil and ensuring the soil temperature is at least 65°F (18°C).

Step-By-Step Guide For The Water Method

If you have chosen the traditional water method for growing sweet potato slips, here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

  • Begin by selecting a healthy, organic sweet potato. Look for small thin roots on one end, known as the rooting end, and a larger end with more eyes, known as the sprouting end.
  • Fill a jar with water, ensuring there is enough room for the sweet potato to sit partially submerged. Place the rooting half of the sweet potato in the water, while keeping the sprouting half above the jar.
  • To speed up the process, provide warmth and light to the sweet potato. Placing it in a warm, sunny spot or using a heat mat can help accelerate the growth of slips.
  • Maintain the water level in the jar and replace it every week or so to keep it fresh. This ensures the slips have access to clean and oxygenated water.
  • Within a few weeks, roots will start to form in the water while sprouts emerge from the top part of the sweet potato.
  • Once the roots are fully formed and several inches long, the sweet potato slips are ready to be planted in soil.

Step-By-Step Guide For The Indoor Soil Method

If you prefer using the indoor soil method to grow sweet potato slips, follow these step-by-step instructions:

  1. Poke several drainage holes in the bottom of a foil pan and fill it with potting soil or seed starting mix. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
  2. Place the sweet potatoes in the soil with the sprouting end facing up. Ensure that about half of each potato is covered by the soil. To catch excess water and prevent damage, put the pan’s lid underneath.
  3. Provide warmth and light to the sweet potatoes for sprout growth. Use bright indoor lighting and a heat mat to create an ideal environment.
  4. Monitor the sweet potatoes closely. If any become soft or rotten, discard them and start the process again with new sweet potatoes.
  5. After about a week, roots will start to form in the soil, and small sprouts will emerge from the top of the sweet potatoes.
  6. Carefully remove the slips once several sprouts have reached a length of 5-6 inches. Take them out with or without attached roots, ensuring not to damage them.
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Step-By-Step Guide For The Outdoor Soil Method

For gardeners in warm climates who prefer the outdoor soil method, here is a step-by-step guide:

  • Bury the sweet potatoes halfway into warm soil, ensuring that the soil temperature is at least 65°F (18°C). This method is best suited for regions with consistent warmth.
  • Moisten the soil to provide the sweet potatoes with the necessary moisture for root and sprout growth. Be careful not to oversaturate the soil.
  • To create a warm and favorable environment for the sweet potatoes, consider using a milk jug or cloche to cover the planted sweet potatoes. This helps trap heat and promotes rooting and sprouting.
  • Check the soil regularly and ensure it remains adequately moist throughout the root and sprout formation process.
  • If any sweet potatoes become soft or rotten, remove them and replace them with healthy ones.
  • After a week or two, sprouts will begin to emerge from the sweet potatoes. Follow the instructions for removing the slips once the sprouts reach a length of 5-6 inches.

Planting And Caring For Rooted Sweet Potato Slips

Once you have rooted sweet potato slips, it’s time to plant them for a bountiful harvest. Follow these steps to ensure your sweet potatoes continue to thrive:

  • Choose a suitable spot in your garden with well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Sweet potatoes prefer loose, sandy soil.
  • Dig holes 12-18 inches apart and approximately 4 inches deep. Make sure the holes provide enough space for the slips to grow and spread.
  • Gently transplant the rooted sweet potato slips into the holes, ensuring that the roots are covered while the upper portion of the slips remains above the ground.
  • Water the newly planted slips thoroughly to help establish their roots. It’s essential to keep the soil consistently moist during the initial growth phase.
  • To provide your sweet potato slips with a nutrient boost, consider using a starter solution that is high in phosphorus. This can promote vigorous root development and overall plant health.
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Remember that one sweet potato can produce a dozen or more sprouts, providing you with an abundant harvest. Ensure that you continue watering your sweet potatoes regularly and monitor their growth progress. Harvesting times will vary depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow a sweet potato in water?

Growing sweet potatoes in water can be a time-consuming process, typically taking around 6-8 weeks or even longer to see results. This traditional method involves suspending the sweet potato in water, which allows it to develop slips. However, the lengthy timeframe necessary for this growth can be attributed to the slow and gradual development of the slips in a water environment. While this method may require patience, it ultimately yields healthy slips that can be used for further sweet potato cultivation.

Can I put a sweet potato in water to grow?

Yes, you can certainly grow a sweet potato in water! Simply place the sweet potato in a jar and fill it with water, leaving a small space between the water and the top of the jar. Make sure to keep the jar in a well-lit area with moderate to full sunlight, preferably at room temperature or above 65 degrees. To ensure the sweet potato plant’s growth, periodically check the water levels and add more water when necessary. With proper care, you’ll soon witness the fascinating sight of your sweet potato sprouting and growing in water.

Can you cut a sweet potato in half and grow it in water?

Yes, it is possible to cut a sweet potato in half and grow it in water. As Arnold suggests, you can take a few sweet potatoes and cut them in half. By placing the halves in damp potting soil or water, with half the tuber submerged, you can encourage the growth of slips. To keep the sweet potatoes upright in water-filled jars, you can use toothpicks. This method allows for the cultivation of new plants from the sweet potato halves, providing an easy and interesting way to propagate and grow sweet potatoes.

Do sweet potatoes need water?

The adequate amount of water is crucial for the growth of sweet potatoes. To thrive, sweet potatoes require at least 1 inch of water each week. This is particularly vital during the transplant, establishment, and root development stages. However, it is advised to cease watering the sweet potatoes three to four weeks prior to harvest in order to prevent tubers from splitting. Thus, a sufficient amount of water is essential for the healthy growth of sweet potatoes, with careful monitoring and adjustment to ensure optimal conditions for a successful harvest.

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