🍠 Sweet Potato, Growing Guide for SEQ
Everything you need to grow Sweet Potato in South East Queensland's subtropical climate.
When to Sow in SEQ
Planted from slips (rooted cuttings), not seed. Sprout your own by suspending a tuber half-submerged in water. Thrives in SEQ summer where nothing else roots well. Hill up soil as vines grow. Harvest when leaves yellow (before autumn rain or tubers rot). Leaves are also edible, cooked like spinach.
Growing Requirements
Good Companions (Friends)
Recommended Varieties for SEQ
Beauregard (Orange)
The supermarket orange sweet potato. Fast, high yield, sweet, classic SEQ performer. Sold as slips in spring.
Murasaki (Purple Skin/White Flesh)
Japanese heirloom, purple skin, dry nutty white flesh. Drought tolerant, excellent keeper.
Hawaiian Sunshine (Purple Flesh)
Deep purple flesh, striking on the plate. High antioxidants. Same care as Beauregard.
Kitchen Uses
- Roasted with olive oil and paprika
- Mashed with butter and nutmeg
- Made into wedges or chips
- Added to curries and soups
Health Benefits
- High in beta-carotene and vitamin A
- Good source of potassium and fibre
- Contains antioxidants and minerals
- Supports eye and immune health
Pests & Diseases in SEQ
Common Pests
- Sweet potato weevil
Common Diseases
- Scurf
- Fusarium wilt
Storage
Cool dry dark place, up to 1 month. Do not refrigerate
Value
Saves ~$3-6/week, leaves of the plant are also edible and nutritious
Related Guides
Track Sweet Potato in Your Garden
Drag Sweet Potato into your garden bed, get weekly reminders for watering, feeding, and harvesting.
Add Sweet Potato to My Garden →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sweet Potato in Brisbane?
In South East Queensland, Sweet Potato can be sown in September, October, November, December, January, February. Planted from slips (rooted cuttings), not seed. Sprout your own by suspending a tuber half-submerged in water. Thrives in SEQ summer where nothing else roots well. Hill up soil as vines grow. Harvest when leaves yellow (before autumn rain or tubers rot). Leaves are also edible, cooked like spinach.
What are good companion plants for Sweet Potato?
Good companions for Sweet Potato in SEQ include Beans, Corn, Marigold.
What are the best Sweet Potato varieties for Queensland?
Top varieties for SEQ include Beauregard (Orange), Murasaki (Purple Skin/White Flesh), Hawaiian Sunshine (Purple Flesh).