Growing Sweet Potato vine in a hanging basket 

You can find sweet potato vine in many different colors such as green and purple, etc. You can grow them in the hanging basket if you want to grow them in your home garden because you can place them in various places such as entrances, balconies, and many other places. You just need to place them in a place where they can get full or shade of sunlight.

These plants are bred to have such unique and colorful foliage, that the characteristics of tubers have slowly died out. These will focus more on growing vigorous, healthy foliage than storing nutrients in a root for later use. So you can grow them in the hanging baskets.

What is a sweet potato vine? 

This plant resembles sweet potatoes and has a delicious taste. This is a vegetable that is easy to grow and is loved by everyone. It originated in Southern America and almost all the farmers grow it in their gardens, they feel emptiness if they don’t grow this delicious vegetable in their gardens.

These are two different things but people got confused between sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes vines. There is no doubt that both are similar but not the same. When you talk about these potato vines you tell people that they give a beautiful look to your garden because of their beautiful, and colorful leaves.

There are various benefits of growing sweet potato vines: 

• It is beneficial for the brain’s health, it can help in curing this particular issue.
• You can use them in the treatment of cancer, cancer patients can get advantages from them.
• The common issue women face is their period cramps, it’s good news for them that these sweet vines help in reducing cramps.
• It also proves beneficial for skin and hair growth.
• You can use it to get relief for constipation pain, it helps.
• Stress can be reduced by using it.

Common Name	Sweet potato vine, ornamental sweet potato vine
Botanical Name	Ipomoea batatas
Family	Convolvulaceae
Plant Type	Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size	8–10 ft. long, 5–12 in. wide
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Neutral, acidic
Bloom Time	Spring, summer
Flower Color	Pink, purple
Hardiness Zones	9–11 (USDA)
Native Area	Central America, South America

How to Grow Sweet Potato Vines From Seed?

You can grow them with the help of seeds, you just need to learn the process of growing them. It is not easy to grow them from seedlings as compared to the process of their cutting and all other processes. If you are a newbie and don’t have much knowledge about it, you should follow the following steps:

• You need to locate the seeds in lukewarm water.
• This will help you in the process of germination that will begin after this.
• You need to place them there for at least 12 hours.
• If you use the seed tray, then you have to pour seed on it which should be a few inches away from each other.
• You need to make use of a soil mixture there, That will help you cover the seed on a tray and will keep the tray warm.
• You should keep misting the soil so that the soil remains moist and the roots begin to grow. 
• The next step is to take a plastic bag and use it to cover the tray, this will help to maintain the level of humidity. 
• Also, keep your container in a place where the plant can get direct sunlight.
• You have to transplant the plant to its new location.

Growing Sweet Potato vines in a hanging basket 

This would be great to grow them in your garden and also be considered a good addition to your garden. You just need to learn the process of growing them in the basket. Let’s explore the steps you need to follow:

The initial step should be the search for a container that contains good drainage holes. Now half fill this container with the potting mix to proceed with the procedure. Then you need to the sweet potatoes in the soil.

You have to provide them with good sunlight and lukewarm water so that the soil remains moist. Make sure to place them where they can get sunlight for at least 4 hours. You will observe some changes after weeks and then you can transplant your sweet potato vines as per your choice.

Sweet Potato Vine Care

As you know everything needs care and plants do so. You need to take care of your plants and if you are not aware of the process, follow these tips:

Sunlight needs

Sunlight is the primary need of any growing plant and it is necessary for them because they retain their green color pigmentation in the leaves of the plants with the help of sunlight,

So you need to provide them with sunlight for at least 4-5 hours a day so that they can grow well. But the plus point is this plant can also survive in the partial shade. If you provide them the sunlight they require then their leaves will get a good texture.

Soil needs

Soil is also considered to be an important requirement of the plants. You need to give this plant a well-drainage and well-moist soil. In this way, the plant becomes able to receive organic and grow well.

If the soil becomes more wet than the required need then this will lead your plant to suffer root rot. So make sure not to it over-wet. Here the use of a container that contains well-drainage holes is necessary.

Watering needs

This plant prefers well-drained soil so a sufficient amount of water is a primary requirement for it. But it is a drought-tolerant plant, the plant with grow well with regular watering. 

If you want your plant to grow its best then you need to keep the soil moist. If you fail to provide that amount of water then you will notice that your plant is wilting.

Temperature and Humidity needs

You can’t say that they can’t survive without hot temperatures but they prefer hot weather to grow their best and they remain happy in the hot climate. But if you see the climate is too hot outside then they will grow best in the shade.

You need to give them 75 degrees Fahrenheit because it is their ideal temperature. They will refuse to grow in the frost because they require a good temperature to survive.

Fertilizer needs

All the plants need fertilizers so that they can survive and grow their best. But the balance is more important than anything else. So provide them with good fertilizer. 

But excess of everything is bad so always remember to avoid over-fertilizing your plant. When you fertilize the plant, then the plant requires to be pruned with time because the plant grows vigorously.

Tips for propagating sweet potato vines in a hanging basket 

When you grow your sweet potato vines in baskets, you need to take care of them so that they will give the best results. Let’s explore the tips for caring for your plants:

Provide them with full sun

• Give them proper sunlight.
• Place them where they can get sunlight for at least 4-5 hours a day.
• They can also survive in the shade if the clime is too hot outside.
• So keep in mind to place them in the proper sunlight.

Water them consistently 

• Watering your plant should be your first priority.
• Water is their primary need.
• Don’t forget to water your plant.
• Spray water on the leaves of your plant when it’s needed.
• When your leaves are shrinking, it’s a sign for you to water your plant. 

Soil nourishment 

• Soil nourishment is one of the primary requirements, keep this in mind.
• Give them well-drained soil just like the Hottentot-fig ice plant. 
• It should be composed of organic matter.
• Well-draining is important but try to avoid over-watering your plant.
• Otherwise, this will lead to your plant root rot.

Fulfill Fertilizer needs 

• You need to fertilize your plants.
• Give them a good fertilizer.
• Provide them with fertilizer once a week.
• You can feed them with a well-balanced fertilizer. 

Common Problems With Sweet Potato Vines

This is common to know that plants get affected by fungal attacks and various pests as well. You need to protect your plant from them otherwise they tend to come to your plants to destroy them.

There are some problems mentioned that you should try to solve to keep your plants healthy:

Curling Leaves 

Curling leaves is a common problem among all plants, this happens because of the lack of the required amount of water. If you don’t provide them with a sufficient amount of water they will have to face this problem. 

You will notice that Your plant is starting curling its leaves when it does not get proper water needs. You have to make use of Neem oil or soap water solution so that you can easily restore the leaves of your plant. 

Leaves Turning Black

When the plant gets affected by fungus this will turn black. So you need to take care of your plant for its healthy growth. You also need to take care of the weather, if it is not suitable for the plant, then this will cause root rot in the plant.

This happens because of the access to the supply. So you have to make use of fungicides to save your plant.

Where to Plant Sweet Potato Vines?

This plant is one of those who prefer a well-humid climate. But the climate conditions should not be too excessive. The area where you live does not matter, But the climatic conditions of that area matter a lot. 

So you need to provide about six hours of sunlight to your plant every day. Always remember that the plant is receiving a good amount of rich and well-drained to show you healthy results.

Conclusion

There are many different colors of sweet potato vine. You can grow them in the hanging basket if you want to grow them in your home garden because you can place them in various places such as entrances, balconies, and many other places. You just need to place them in a place where they can get full or shade of sunlight.

These plants are bred to have such unique and colorful foliage, that the characteristics of tubers have slowly died out. These will focus more on growing vigorous, healthy foliage than storing nutrients in a root for later use. So you can grow them in the hanging baskets.

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