How far apart should sweet potato slips be planted?

Space slips 12 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart to give sprawling vines room to run.

How much does one sweet potato plant yield?

Each plant typically produces about 3 lb of tubers — roughly 4-6 roots depending on variety.

When can sweet potatoes be planted?

Plant slips 3 weeks after your last frost date once soil temperature reaches at least 65 F.

Sweet potatoes: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates

Plant count & yield calculator

Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.

Bed length

Bed width

Crop

Enter bed size to count plants.

Seed starting dates

Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Sweet potatoes with this frost date , transplant ~May 6 .

Pick a last frost date for the schedule.

About sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes thrive in heat and produce heavy yields of nutrient-dense tubers from rooted vine cuttings called slips, with minimal pest issues.

Spacing & yield

Sweet potatoes wants 12×36 inches and about 3 lb per plant at ~100 days to maturity.

Growing tips

Plant slips 3 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (above 65 F).
Create raised mounds or ridges to improve drainage and warm the root zone faster.
Do not fertilize heavily — excess nitrogen grows enormous vines but few tubers.
Cure harvested tubers at 85 F and high humidity for 10 days to convert starches to sugars.

Common mistakes

Planting too early in cold soil, causing slip rot and slow establishment.
Nicking tubers during harvest with a spade — use a garden fork starting 12 inches from the crown.
Skipping the curing step, which leaves tubers starchy and shortens storage life.

Harvest & storage

Dig carefully before first frost when vines begin to yellow, about 100 days after planting slips.

After curing, store at 55-60 F in a dry area; properly cured sweet potatoes keep 6-12 months.

Companion planting

Good neighbors for sweet potatoes: beans, corn, dill, thyme. Avoid planting beside: tomatoes, squash.

Planting calendar

Start indoors about — weeks before last frost, then transplant 3 weeks after frost. Plant slips 3 weeks after last frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.

Frequently asked questions

How far apart should sweet potato slips be planted?: Space slips 12 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart to give sprawling vines room to run.
How much does one sweet potato plant yield?: Each plant typically produces about 3 lb of tubers — roughly 4-6 roots depending on variety.
When can sweet potatoes be planted?: Plant slips 3 weeks after your last frost date once soil temperature reaches at least 65 F.