How to grow Sweet Potato in the UK
Ipomoea batatas
Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vegetable that grows well in UK gardens. Heat-loving — greenhouse only in most UK gardens. 'Beauregard' is a reliable cultivar. This guide covers when and how to sow Sweet Potato, the soil and position it likes, watering and feeding, companion planting, and when to harvest.
Type
Vegetables
Difficulty
Challenging
Position
full sun (6+ hrs direct)
Sow
spring
Harvest
October
When to sow & grow Sweet Potato
Sowing and harvest window through the year (UK):
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May Plant | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct Harvest | Nov | Dec |
Soil, position & care
- Soil
- Light, free-draining soil; warm
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Position
- Warmest, sunniest spot or under cover
- Sowing depth
- Plant slips 10 cm deep
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart, rows 75 cm
- Sowing
- Plant slips early summer once warm — needs a long hot season
- Growing
- Keep warm and watered; train trailing stems
- Harvest & upkeep
- Lift before the first frost; cure in warmth to sweeten
- Watch for
- Slugs; cold checks growth
Companion planting for Sweet Potato
No specific companion notes for this plant.
Grow Sweet Potato this year
Add Sweet Potato to your free 12-month plan and get watering & sowing reminders — no sign-up needed.
Sweet Potato FAQs
How much sun does Sweet Potato need?
Sweet Potato prefers full sun (6+ hrs direct).
When is Sweet Potato ready to harvest?
Sweet Potato is typically ready to harvest in October in the UK.
Is Sweet Potato easy to grow?
Challenging. Heat-loving — greenhouse only in most UK gardens. 'Beauregard' is a reliable cultivar.