The Best 20 Varieties of Sweet Potato to Grow: Tips, Facts, and Information
Sweet potatoes are a warm-season crop prized for their sweet flavour, high yields, and versatility in the kitchen. While traditionally associated with tropical and subtropical climates, many modern varieties can be grown successfully in the UK during warm summers or under protection in greenhouses and polytunnels. With the right variety and growing setup, home gardeners can enjoy reliable harvests of this nutritious root crop.
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Sweet potatoes are grown from slips (young shoots) rather than seed and need a long, warm growing season. They reward good preparation with attractive vines, edible leaves, and delicious tubers that store well after harvest.
This guide explores the best 20 varieties of sweet potato to grow, along with practical tips, key facts, and growing information to help you choose varieties suited to home growing.
⭐ Recommended Products for Growing Sweet Potatoes Successfully
Sweet potatoes need warmth, loose soil, and space for tubers to develop. These products help create the right conditions for strong growth and good yields.
• Raised Beds, Grow Bags, or Large Containers
Sweet potatoes thrive in deep, free-draining soil. Raised beds and large containers warm up faster and allow tubers to form without restriction.
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• Polythene Covers, Polytunnels, or Greenhouses
Extra heat is often essential in cooler climates. Protection improves vine growth, flowering, and tuber development, especially in average UK summers.
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• Potassium-Rich Vegetable Feed
Feeding during the growing season supports tuber formation rather than excess leaf growth.
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What Are Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are tender perennial plants usually grown as annuals. They produce sprawling vines with heart-shaped or lobed leaves and form underground storage roots (tubers) that vary in colour, size, and sweetness depending on variety.
- Flavour: Sweet, earthy, sometimes nutty
- Flesh colours: Orange, white, yellow, purple
- Growing season: 4–6 months
- Uses: Roasting, baking, mashing, frying
Sweet potatoes are unrelated to regular potatoes and belong to the morning glory family.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Sweet Potatoes
- Soil: Loose, sandy, well-drained
- Position: Full sun, sheltered
- Planting time: Late May to early June
- Spacing: 30–40cm between plants
- Harvesting: September to October
Cold soil and frost will severely damage plants, so warmth is essential.
The Best 20 Varieties of Sweet Potato to Grow
1. Beauregard
One of the most widely grown varieties.
- Orange flesh
- High yields
- Reliable performance
Excellent all-round variety.
2. Covington
Modern improved variety.
- Smooth orange flesh
- Uniform tubers
- Good disease resistance
Popular for home growing.
3. Jewel
Classic sweet potato variety.
- Moist orange flesh
- Sweet flavour
- Medium-sized tubers
Great for baking.
4. Evangeline
Early-maturing variety.
- Bright orange flesh
- High sugar content
- Compact growth
Good for shorter seasons.
5. Centennial
Reliable traditional type.
- Orange flesh
- Strong vines
- Consistent yields
Well suited to warm summers.
6. Georgia Jet
Fast-growing variety.
- Early harvest
- Sweet orange flesh
- Good for cooler regions
Ideal for UK growers.
7. Hernandez
Productive and vigorous.
- Orange flesh
- Large tubers
- Long storage life
Excellent for bulk harvests.
8. Tainung No. 65
Heat-tolerant Asian variety.
- Smooth orange flesh
- High productivity
- Strong vine growth
Performs well under cover.
9. Bonita
Light-coloured flesh variety.
- Creamy white flesh
- Mild sweetness
- Firm texture
Great for savoury dishes.
10. O’Henry
White-fleshed alternative.
- Dense texture
- Less sweet
- Excellent roasting quality
Ideal for those who prefer subtle flavour.
11. Purple Passion
Decorative and nutritious.
- Deep purple flesh
- High antioxidant content
- Slightly drier texture
Striking and healthy choice.
12. Okinawan Purple
Traditional Asian variety.
- Purple flesh
- Nutty flavour
- Medium yields
Excellent for baking and desserts.
13. Japanese White
Popular in Asian cuisine.
- Pale skin
- Yellow-white flesh
- Sweet, chestnut-like taste
Excellent roasted.
14. Bush Porto Rico
Compact-growing variety.
- Shorter vines
- Orange flesh
- Suitable for containers
Good for small gardens.
15. Vardaman
Dwarf bush type.
- Compact habit
- Orange flesh
- Ideal for pots
Excellent for patios.
16. White Yam
Traditional white-fleshed type.
- Firm texture
- Mild sweetness
- Good storage quality
Versatile cooking potato.
17. Murasaki
Japanese variety.
- Purple skin
- White flesh
- Sweet, nutty flavour
Highly regarded culinary type.
18. Sumor
High-yielding modern variety.
- Orange flesh
- Large tubers
- Strong vines
Best grown under protection.
19. Carolina Ruby
Improved red-skinned variety.
- Orange flesh
- Smooth skin
- Consistent size
Great all-purpose sweet potato.
20. Heritage Orange
Traditional open-pollinated type.
- Deep orange flesh
- Strong flavour
- Reliable growth
Ideal for seed saving.
Common Problems When Growing Sweet Potatoes
- Poor tuber formation: Insufficient heat
- Excess leaves, few tubers: Too much nitrogen
- Small tubers: Crowded planting
- Rotting roots: Waterlogged soil
Warm, free-draining soil prevents most problems.
Harvesting and Curing Sweet Potatoes
- Harvest before first frost
- Lift carefully to avoid damage
- Cure in a warm, dry place for 7–14 days
- Store in a cool, dry location
Curing improves sweetness and storage life.
Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
- High in vitamin A
- Rich in fibre
- Contains antioxidants
- Supports immune health
Purple varieties are especially nutrient-dense.
Final Thoughts
Sweet potatoes are a rewarding crop for gardeners willing to provide warmth and patience. With the right variety and growing method, they can produce impressive harvests even in cooler climates.
Whether you prefer classic orange-fleshed types, subtle white varieties, or striking purple sweet potatoes, there is a sweet potato variety to suit every taste and growing space. With careful variety choice and good soil preparation, sweet potatoes can become a reliable and exciting addition to the home garden.