Sweet potato slips arrive looking small and delicate. Warm soil and careful establishment give them the start they need for a long growing season.
Use slips, the young shoots grown for planting, rather than treating a sweet potato like a seed potato. Plant after frost danger when the soil is at least about 65°F, in sun and loose, well-drained soil.
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Before you begin
Sweet potatoes are frost-sensitive and need a long warm season. Choose a variety that can mature in your region, and avoid planting into cold wet ground.
What you’ll need
- Healthy sweet potato slips
- Prepared sunny bed
- Small garden tool
- Water source
- Plant labels
Optional tools & supplies
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Use what you already have. Choose supplies that fit your task, and check instructions and current prices.
Kings County Tools 17-in garden hoe and trowelLowe’s · ProductUse shallow strokes near plant roots and keep hands and feet clear of the edge.
NeverKink FLX 5/8-in x 50-ft garden hoseLowe’s · ProductChoose the length and fittings for your garden. Follow the hose’s drinking-water and temperature restrictions.
Let’s do this
Step by step
- 01
Order slips for the right season
Choose healthy planting stock and a locally suitable maturity period. Keep slips from drying out while you prepare, following the supplier’s holding instructions.
- 02
Warm and loosen the growing area
Use a sunny site with drainage. Raised ridges can help in appropriate soils. Remove weeds before vines spread and leave adequate room between rows.
- 03
Plant the root-forming stem section
Follow the supplier’s depth instructions, placing the lower stem and roots into soil with leaves above ground. Maryland recommends about 12 inches between plants and about 40 inches between rows.
- 04
Water in and support establishment
Water gently around each slip, settling soil against the roots. Monitor closely in the first weeks; the small new root system can dry before the surrounding bed looks dry.
- 05
Manage vines and plan harvest
Keep weeds down early and maintain moisture without waterlogging. Many varieties need roughly 85–120 days. Harvest before frost, handle roots carefully and follow a proper curing routine before long storage.
A good harvest begins with room
Check the mature vine spread when choosing a bed. Slips that look tiny at planting can cover substantial ground. Mark row ends so you can find the original crowns when the foliage fills in.
A quick final check
- Slips healthy
- Soil warm enough
- Leaves above soil
- Establishment watering planned
Common questions & sticking points
Can I plant a whole sweet potato?
For a predictable crop, plant healthy slips intended for your region. Whole-root sprouting is a different propagation stage.
Are these the same as ordinary potatoes?
No. They belong to different plant families and have different planting material and temperature requirements.
Sources & further reading Optional
References used to check this guide. Follow your product’s own safety instructions where its design differs.
Last source check: September 24, 2026
