When to Plant Sweet Potatoes
Published: April 24, 2026
Tropical warm-season vining crop grown from rooted cuttings called slips. Needs 90–120 frost-free days and consistently warm soil — thrives in the South but grows as far north as Zone 5 with care.
When to plant sweet potato
- Direct sow outdoors: 3 weeks after last frost
- Minimum soil temperature: 60°F
- Days to harvest: 90–120 days
- Sun requirement: Full sun (8+ hours)
- Spacing: 12 inches apart
- Water: 1 inches per week
- Fall crop: No — single spring/summer crop only
⚠ Plant sweet potato slips 2–3 weeks after last frost when soil is consistently above 60°F. Needs 90–120 days of warm weather. Best in Zones 5–11.
Growing Tips for Sweet Potatoes
- •Order slips in early spring from a seed company; plant within 24 hours of arrival in pre-warmed soil.
- •Form raised ridges or mounds 10 inches tall — sweet potatoes size up best in loose, warm, well-drained soil.
- •Black plastic mulch warms soil quickly in northern climates and can add 2 weeks to the effective growing season.
- •Harvest before the first fall frost — foliage damage signals the entire crop should come out of the ground quickly.
Companion Planting for Sweet Potatoes
✅ Plant sweet potato with
- • Bush Bean
- • Pea
- • Dill
- • Thyme
- • Oregano
❌ Avoid planting near
- • Squash
- • Tomato
- • Sunflower
Common Sweet Potato Pests and Problems
Regional pest pressure varies — see your state guide below for state-specific pest calendars and treatment timing.
Sweet Potatoes Planting Dates by State
Select your state for exact sow and transplant dates based on local frost calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sweet potato slips?
Slips are rooted cuttings grown from a mature sweet potato. Rather than planting from seed or seed potatoes, you start slips indoors 6–8 weeks before planting, or buy them from a seed company. Each slip grows into one sweet potato plant that produces 3–5 pounds of tubers in 90–120 days.
When do I plant sweet potato slips?
Plant sweet potato slips 2–3 weeks after your last frost date when soil temperature is consistently above 60°F. In Zones 3–5 this is early June; in Zones 7–9 it is mid to late May. Slips planted in cold soil simply stop growing and never recover.
Can I grow sweet potatoes in Zone 5?
Yes, with short-season varieties like Beauregard (90 days) or Georgia Jet (90 days) and soil-warming techniques. Use black plastic mulch to pre-warm soil 2 weeks before planting. Start slips as early as possible indoors to maximize outdoor growing time. Zones 3–4 are marginal but possible with season extension.
When do I harvest sweet potatoes?
Harvest sweet potatoes 90–120 days after planting, before the first fall frost damages the vines. Dig carefully with a fork to avoid puncturing tubers. Cure at 80°F and 90% humidity for 10–14 days to sweeten the flavor and toughen skins for storage. Cured sweet potatoes store for 6+ months at 55–60°F.
What should I plant with sweet potatoes?
Bush beans fix nitrogen without competing with sweet potato vines. Dill, thyme, and oregano nearby repel sweet potato weevils. Avoid squash (competes for space), tomatoes (shares pests), and sunflowers (allelopathic).