Sweet Potato Plant Seeds:
Guide to Storing, Sowing and Germination

Sweet potatoes are not only a delicious and nutritious vegetable, but they also have the potential to be grown from their own seeds. Growing sweet potatoes from seeds can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to explore different varieties and experiment with your own crop. In this guide, we will explore how to properly store sweet potato plant seeds, sowing techniques, and the process of germination.

Storing Sweet Potato Plant Seeds

When it comes to storing sweet potato plant seeds, it is important to choose mature, healthy tubers from disease-free plants. Once you’ve harvested your sweet potatoes, select a few tubers that are free from blemishes and have a good shape. These will serve as your seed potatoes for the next growing season.

To store sweet potato plant seeds, follow these steps:

1. Cure the tubers: After harvesting, allow the sweet potatoes to cure for about 1-2 weeks in a warm, humid environment (around 80°F or 27°C) with good air circulation. This process allows the skin to toughen up and any minor injuries to heal.

2. Clean the tubers: Gently brush off any excess dirt or debris from the cured sweet potatoes. Be careful not to damage the skin or any potential sprouts.

3. Inspect for diseases: Examine each tuber for signs of rot or disease. Discard any potatoes that show signs of decay, as they may contaminate other stored tubers.

4. Choose storage conditions: Sweet potato plant seeds should be stored in a cool, dark place with temperatures ranging between 50-55°F (10-13°C). A basement or cellar can be ideal for this purpose.

5. Use appropriate containers: Place the cured and cleaned sweet potatoes in storage containers such as cardboard boxes or wooden crates. Make sure the containers have adequate ventilation to prevent excess moisture buildup.

6. Check periodically: Regularly inspect the stored sweet potatoes for signs of rot or sprouting. Discard any tubers that show signs of decay to prevent the spread of disease.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your sweet potato plant seeds remain viable and healthy for the next growing season.

Sowing Sweet Potato Plant Seeds

Before sowing sweet potato plant seeds, it is important to note that sweet potatoes are typically grown from slips (young plants) rather than seeds. However, it is possible to grow them from seeds if you are willing to put in the extra effort and time.

To sow sweet potato plant seeds, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a seedbed: Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-draining soil. Loosen the soil and remove any weeds or debris. You can also create raised beds or mounds to improve drainage.

2. Start indoors (optional): If you live in a region with a short growing season, you can start sweet potato plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Use seed trays or pots filled with seed-starting mix and plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep.

3. Direct sow (preferred method): When the soil temperature reaches around 65°F (18°C), you can directly sow sweet potato plant seeds outdoors. Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep in rows or hills, leaving about 12-18 inches of space between each seed.

4. Water regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist but not overly saturated. Ensure that your sweet potato plant seeds receive about 1 inch of water per week.

5. Provide support (if needed): As the plants grow, you may need to provide support such as trellises or stakes to keep them upright.

6. Thin out seedlings: Once the seedlings emerge and reach about 4-6 inches in height, thin them out, leaving the healthiest and strongest plants. Aim for a spacing of around 12-18 inches between each plant.

Germination of Sweet Potato Plant Seeds

Germinating sweet potato plant seeds can be a bit challenging compared to growing from slips. It requires patience and careful attention to provide the ideal conditions for successful germination.

To encourage germination of sweet potato plant seeds, follow these tips:

1. Warmth and moisture: Sweet potato plant seeds require warm soil temperatures (around 80°F or 27°C) and consistent moisture to germinate. Consider using a heat mat or placing the seeded trays/pots in a warm location.

2. Cover the seeds: To retain moisture and create a humid environment, cover the seeded trays/pots with plastic wrap or a humidity dome. This will help create the optimal conditions for germination.

3. Be patient: Germination can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks or even longer, so be patient and keep an eye on your seeded trays/pots.

4. Transplanting seedlings: Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves and are strong enough to handle, they can be transplanted outdoors. Make sure to harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting them in the garden.

Growing sweet potatoes from seeds may require more effort and time compared to growing from slips, but it can be a rewarding experience. By properly storing sweet potato plant seeds, using appropriate sowing techniques, and providing optimal conditions for germination, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own sweet potatoes from start to finish.