How to Grow and Overwinter Sweet Potato Vine Indoors? Straightforward Guide for a Vibrant Plant at Home!

Sweet potato vines are known for their rich, thick, trailing foliage and bright colors, making them a favorite choice for gardeners. While plants develop vigorously in warm climates, the question is can they be successfully grown indoors to enjoy home growing plant enthusiasts. The experience shows that with the right care and attention this is quite possible. How to grow sweet potato vine indoors, and what conditions you should provide the plant to overwinter at home?

Can a Sweet Potato Vine Grow Indoors?

Growing and overwintering sweet potato vines at home conditions is a rewarding effort, which makes it possible you to have a striking experience with their lush foliage during cold months. By providing the suitable conditions, care, and attention, you can cultivate a naturally looking and wonderful plant that brings a piece of nature amazement to your indoor space.

Read also: When and How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes? How Do You Know if They Are Ripe?

Bringing Sweet Potato Vine Indoors

Moving your sweet potato vine from the great outdoors to the homely environment of your living area must be done with attention to the next details:

1. Select the exact time: Timing is important when taking your plant indoors. You should do this before the first frost in the autumn, the days between late September and early October, depending on your location. This should be the time when the nights are rapidly getting colder.
2. Trim and shape: Before moving your plant indoors, give it a thoroughly pruning. Trim away any leggy or dead branches, and shape the foliage. Pruning will be useful for the plant to adapt to its new indoor living and to foster its bushier growth.
3. Dig up the potato: Cautiously dig up the plant from its outdoor location, caring not to damage the roots. Use a shovel or garden fork to lightly lift the plant and its root ball.
4. Shake off soil: Lightly shake off excess soil from the roots. There is no need to remove all the soil, but only to reduce the risk of pests or diseases coming at home with the plant.
5. Check for pests: Take a close look at the plant for any signs of pests or disease. Treat any issues before bringing the vine indoors to prevent possible infestations from spreading to your home plants.
6. Soak in water: It’s possible to soak the younger plants in water in order they to develop their root system better, prior to move them to soil.
7. Habituate to home conditions: When you first take your vine plant inside, it may experience some stress due to the change in conditions. So, habituate it gradually to your home by placing it in its new living area for 3–4 hours each day, increasing the time little by little.

How to Overwinter Sweet Potato Vine Indoors

By overwintering sweet potato vines at home, they will survive and develop vigorously all the cold months. There is a tried and tested way how to do it:

• Less watering: The plant will require less water at home than it used to do outdoors. Water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater it.
• High humidity: This vine plant likes higher humidity levels. To give it the needed condition, spray it with water regularly or place a tray filled with water and pebbles nearby. While the water evaporates, it will enhance the air moisture.
• Fertilize rarely: The plant is not fast-growing during the cold months, so it should be fertilized rarely. Pour a balanced liquid fertilizer at half the recommended quantity once a month from late fall to early spring.
• Check for pests: Keep a close eye on your vine plant for any signs of diseases like spider mites or mealybugs. Treat any infestations fast, and not allow it to spread to other home plants.
• Keep optimal temperature: This plant thrives at temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). Do not expose it to drafts or rapid temperature fluctuations.
• Prune and shape: Go on trimming and shaping the vines of the plant during the cold months to boost bushier instead of leggy development.

Sweet Potato Vine Indoors Care

Caring for your sweet potato vine at home is relatively easy, but cautiousness is important to maintain it healthy and looking fresh. First of all, this vine plant develops perfect in bright, though indirect sunlight. Be sure it receives the adjusted amount of light to keep its bright foliage colors. If the sunlight is insufficient, add artificial grow lights. Also, plant your vine in well-draining soil for containers. It’s good to add perlite or sand to improve drainage, and utilize a pot with drainage holes. The vines will benefit from some support, so it would be positive to add a trellis or stakes to help them grow upward, which will also serve as decorative elements.

Read also: Sweet potato recipes – 10 extremely tasty suggestions for the holidays