Sweet potato plants are surprisingly adaptable and can flourish even in limited spaces with the right approach. Gardener Jacque from @Jacquesinthegarden demonstrates a clever technique using everyday items to nurture these vibrant plants from slips to harvest.
Starting with a simple milk carton, Jacque creates a mini greenhouse that retains moisture and fits neatly on a windowsill. This container allows the sweet potato to sprout leafy slips, which are the young shoots essential for growing new plants.
Once the slips reach 4–6 inches, they are rooted in water before being transplanted into a grow bag filled with loose, sandy soil that sweet potatoes prefer.
To manage the sprawling vines, a trellis made from bamboo sticks or string provides support, ensuring the leaves receive ample sunlight for photosynthesis. This setup not only maximizes space but also encourages healthy foliage growth, which is critical for producing robust tubers underground.
With consistent watering and 6–8 hours of sunlight daily, these sweet potato plants grow vigorously, turning a small urban space into a productive garden. After about 3 to 4 months, the leaves yellow, signaling a bountiful harvest.
This method is ideal for apartment gardeners and anyone looking to cultivate lush, flowering sweet potato plants without needing a large yard. The cycle can continue indefinitely by saving tubers for future slips, making it a sustainable and rewarding plant-growing hack.
