How to grow and care for purple sweet potatoes (A complete guide)

The scientific name for purple sweet potatoes is Ipomoea batatas, and they have become famous owing to their exceptional taste, rich nutritional value, and attractive appearance. They evolved into a staple crop following their migration from South America over 5,000 years ago to the Polynesian Islands. They were introduced into the country in the 20th century and consequently started to be adopted by Asian-American communities. Now, with purple sweet potatoes featured in most supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and even home gardens, it’s time for this colorful tuber to have its chance at cultivation and savoring by its proponents.

Reasons to grow purple sweet potatoes

Growing purple sweet potatoes in your yard is beneficial for a number of reasons.

Nutritional Value: In terms of nutrient content, purple sweet potatoes are basically packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals richly. Basically, they contain a large amount of anthocyanins, which are responsible for their typical rich purple color. Anthocyanins are famously associated with potential health benefits, notably for reducing the risk of cancer, heart diseases, and inflammation.

Ornamental value: The purple sweet potatoes are lovely additions to your gardens. Other than their nutritional benefit and gastronomic value, they offer a very striking alternative for the traditional garden beds or containers on your patios, decks, and balconies, featuring their bright color with lovable foliage.

Brings exclusive taste: Insatiable to the ordinary orange-fleshed types, purple sweet potatoes come with a unique flavor character. Their mildly earthy flavor, which differs from what some other sweet potatoes may offer in terms of overpowering sweetness or flat, dry taste, rounds out savory and sweet recipes alike.

Selecting the perfect variety for your garden

Purple sweet potatoes come in a number of varieties, each having special qualities of its own. Several well-liked choices consist of:

• Murasaki: Compared to other purple kinds, Murasaki sweet potatoes have a somewhat sweeter flavour and a lighter purple colour. They are adaptable and suitable for a variety of recipes.
• Okinawan: This type is native to Japan and distinguished by its rich, creamy texture, deep purple flesh, and high sugar content. It’s a great option if you bake or prepare desserts.
• Stokes Purple: Compared to the Okinawan type, Stokes Purple sweet potatoes have a firmer texture and a richer, earthy flavour. They work nicely in both savoury and sweet recipes and are best roasted or grilled.

Think about your environment, available growing space, and favourite kitchen uses before choosing a variety.

How to grow Purple sweet potatoes?

Soil preparation

Loamy soil that drains well and has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for growing purple sweet potatoes. To begin, till the ground down to a depth of 12 inches, taking out any rocks or other debris that might impede the growth of roots. Use organic materials, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to modify the soil to increase its nutritional value, drainage, and aeration. To avoid waterlogging, which can cause rot and disease, grow purple sweet potatoes in raised beds or containers if your soil is thick in clay or has poor drainage.

Planting

The usual method for growing purple sweet potatoes is through “slips,” which are tiny sprouts that grow from the eyes of adult sweet potatoes. A good, organic purple sweet potato should be placed in a jar of water with the pointed end facing up. You can make your own slips, or purchase them from a nursery. Slips will begin to emerge from the eyes after a few weeks.

The slips are prepared for planting when they reach a length of 4–6 inches and have fully formed roots. To keep the potato slips’ roots hydrated until planting time, carefully clip or twist them off of the parent plant and submerge them in water.

After the last date of frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (16°C), plant the slips outside. Arrange them in rows 3–4 feet apart, 12–18 inches apart. To encourage good root growth, plant the slips at a little angle, covering the roots and roughly half of the stem.

Fertilizing and watering

For purple sweet potatoes to flourish and produce healthy tubers, they need constant moisture. Make sure the soil is continuously moist but not soggy by giving the plants frequent, thorough watering. You might need to water more regularly when the weather is hot or dry. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer to your purple sweet potatoes when you plant them and then again approximately one month later. High-nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided since they can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of the development of tubers.

Pest and disease control

Purple sweet potatoes are prone to a number of diseases and pests. Wireworms, white grubs, and sweet potato weevils are common pests. Use crop rotation techniques and avoid growing sweet potatoes in the same spot every year to effectively manage these pests. Keep an eye out for indications of pest damage to your plants and act quickly to prevent more infestations. This may involve using appropriate chemical or organic insecticides.

Purple sweet potatoes are susceptible to black rot, root rot, and fusarium wilt. When at all possible, choose disease-resistant kinds to reduce your risk of contracting a disease. Make sure the soil in your garden drains well, and keep up with basic sanitation. This entails removing and disposing of any contaminated plant material and garden detritus as soon as possible.

Harvesting and storing

Depending on the variety, purple sweet potatoes can be harvested 100–120 days after they are planted. You will see that the leaves are beginning to yellow and die back as the tubers get bigger. Gently dig around the base of a plant and feel the size of the tubers to see whether they’re ready. They are ready to be harvested if they have a diameter of at least two inches. Take care not to injure the tubers as you carefully remove them from the ground using a garden fork. When storing them, moisture might cause decomposition, so gently brush off any extra dirt.

Cure the tubers for 12–15 days after harvesting in a setting that is warm and humid (around 85°F/29°C with 80–90% humidity). In addition to extending the sweet potatoes’ shelf life and flavour, this curing method helps cure any skin abrasions. The tubers should be kept between 55 and 60°F (13 and 16°C) and between 75 and 80% relative humidity in a cool, dark area with adequate ventilation after they have cured.

How to care for purple sweet potatoes?

Growing and developing robust purple sweet potatoes requires proper care. The following advice will help you take good care of your plants during the growth season:

• Pruning: To promote bushier growth and avoid overcrowding, prune your sweet potato plants on a regular basis. Remove any fading or broken leaves and pinch off the tips of the vines. This will lessen the chance of illness and enhance air circulation.
• Mulching: Surround the base of your sweet potato plants with a layer of organic mulch, like wood chips or straw. Mulch aids in maintaining a constant soil temperature, controlling weed growth, and preserving moisture.
• Monitoring: Check your sweet potato plants frequently for indications of illness or pests. You may save your plants and tubers a lot of damage by identifying problems early on and taking appropriate action.

Purple sweet potatoes recipes

Purple sweet potatoes can be utilized in so many different recipes because of their extreme versatility in the kitchen. They are commonly prepared and enjoyed in the following ways:

• Roasting: Chop peeled purple sweet potatoes into wedges or cubes, then sprinkle with salt, olive oil, and any additional herbs or spices you choose. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes at 425°F (218°C), or until soft and caramelized.
• Mashing: For a vibrant and savory side dish, boil peeled and cubed purple sweet potatoes until they are soft. Then, drain and mash with butter, cream, and seasonings.
• Baking: Bake whole purple sweet potatoes for 45 to 60 minutes, or until they are cooked, at 400°F (204°C). Savor it with your preferred toppings, a pat of butter, or a sprinkling of cinnamon.
• Frying: For a tasty and distinctive snack or appetizer, cook thin rounds or strips of purple sweet potatoes in oil until they become crispy.
• Adding to baked goods: Purple sweet potatoes used to add colour, nutrition, and flavour to muffin, pancake, bread, or even pie recipes.

Purple sweet potatoes add nutritional value and aesthetic appeal to any garden. You may grow these unique tubers in your backyard and harvest and enjoy them with the help of this guide. Growing purple sweet potatoes assures a rich and pleasant experience, regardless of gardening expertise level. Grab your gardening gloves and start adding brilliant purple sweet potatoes to your landscape right now!