Sweet Potato Sakura - Ipomoea batatas

Ipomoea batatas 'Sakura' is a variety of sweet potato characterised by the beautiful colour of its elongated tubers with purple flesh striated with white. Its sweet tuber can be cooked like a regular potato and used in multiple ways. It is a complete food, rich in vitamins. The tubers can be stored for several months. When combined with other varieties of sweet potatoes, 'Sakura' adds colour to your dishes. The foliage is particularly decorative and aesthetic, providing a beautiful display throughout summer. It bears creeping, trailing branches. It prefers a warm and sunny exposure, and deep, rich, and moist soil. Plant the plugs from April to June, after the last frost. It works well in open ground, under cover, or in a pot, depending on the climate. Harvesting takes place from September to November.

Ipomoea batatas is a root vegetable native to South America. Standing only about 20cm (8in) tall, this perennial plant can spread several metres wide with its long creeping stems. It belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It has highly decorative heart-shaped foliage. Some varieties have been selected for their foliage and can be used as ornamental plants in the garden, such as I. 'Illusion Midnight Lace' or the I. 'Sweet Heart Purple'.

There are many varieties of sweet potato, producing elongated tubers with flesh that can be white, yellow, orange, or purple. This exotic plant needs warmth and water to grow. It can be planted in open ground in regions with hot summers, with careful attention to watering. In cooler regions, opt for cultivation under cover or in pots.

In terms of cooking, sweet potatoes can be prepared like regular potatoes (mashed, gratins, soups, sautéed, etc.). Their sweet taste also makes them suitable for use in desserts such as cakes, pies, and jams. The edible leaves can be consumed like spinach. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B6, and minerals (copper and manganese).

Harvesting: sweet potatoes are short-day plants. Tuber formation begins in September-October when the foliage turns yellow. Cut the foliage just before harvesting. Gently dig up the tubers with a garden fork, taking care not to damage them. Let them dry in the sun for a few hours. Harvesting should be completed before the first frosts.

Storage: sweet potatoes can be stored like regular potatoes. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from light.

Gardening tip: although the plant provides ground cover, mulch the soil to keep it moist and reduce weed growth, especially at the beginning of cultivation.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.