| Description | A rapidly growing, bold, foliage plant. Very useful in pots by themselves or mixed with other annuals that can compete with their aggressive growth. This is an older variety of Sweet Potato Vine. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (ip-oh-MEE-a)(bat-TAT-as) |
| Plant Type | All Plants, Perennial Tender |
| Hardiness Zone | 9-11 |
| Sunlight | I have grown this plant in 1/2 to 3/4 day full sun and their seems to be no problem with the foliage burning. Some references suggest that all day full sun could burn the plant. |
| Moisture | Prefers to be kept evenly moist. Becoming dry will not kill the plant but will cause damage to the foliage. As the plants fill out the pot they will need more water. |
| Temperature | tops dies at first frost |
| Flowers | Grown basically for its foliage, I have never seen it flower in my outdoor pots during one growing season. |
| Leaves | Very dark, blackish maroon, spade shaped leaves. |
| Stems | sweet potato-like tuberous roots |
| Dimensions | In one summer it will easily fill out and over flow, a 14" pot. |
| Maintenance | trimming back to control size |
| Propagation | One of the easier plants I have ever rooted from cuttings. Easier than Coleus or Inch plant. Also started from division of the tuberous roots. |
| Misc Facts | tropical America's |
| Author's Notes | After the growing season dig into the pot and uproot one of the tubers. It is amazing to see what this plant grew from. I have let these tubers go dry for an extended period of time and have just given them some water and they have popped back to life. An incredible plant. |
| Notes & Reference | #51-Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials (Alan Arimitage), #109-Annuals and Tender Perennials for North American Gardens (Wayne Winterrowd) |
Cart
