The first year I had Sweet Potato Vines, Blackie and Marguerite, in containers and tried to overwinter them in the house with dismal results. I don't know if they didn't get enough light although they were in a south window setting or if they just don't do well indoors.

The following year, I bought new plants and in the fall, took cuttings, rooted them in water over the winter, potted up early spring and they did wonderfully. I should say the Marguerite did wonderfully...the Blackie didn't make it at all.

Last year, the pots they had been in were full of small tubers which I intended to save and pot up but I somehow managed to lose the dang sackful in the garage somewhere. They'll be too dried out and shriveled to use if I should run across them now. It's my understanding that the tubers can be overwintered indoors and planted the following spring.

Gardeners in warmer zones are also treated to the lovely blooms that don't happen in a shorter growing season like ours. Here's a picture of this years vines started from last years cuttings.


* * * *
Rosie z7a

also, if you let them die off naturally, you can dump out the pots and get the "potatoes" to plant for next year.

put them in the basement or cellar. just like you would store any bulb or tuber.

actually, they are part of the "sweet potato" family. not yams exactly, but definitly not potatoes. however, the ornamental vines have the tubers just like regular sweet potatoes, and regular sweet potatoes make pretty vines too! how's that for confusion

just keep them from freezing and you will be fine!

I don't have a basement to store tubers. Do you think I could put them in a styrofoam cooler in my garage and that would keep them from freezing? The garage is unheated and sometimes it gets very cold here but sometimes not so bad. Last year it wasn't all that cold so I figure this year it will probably be cold.

* * * *
gailo

I have 3 potatoes in a box in my basement right now! I thought it was funny that they looked like an actual sweet potato!

* * * *
PattyM

Rosie, I read what you wrote before about rooting in water and I did that. I was surprised how fast they rooted. I may have to break the thing I put them in to get them out. I think I will take some more cuttings just before frost so I'll have an extra chance to get them through winter. I will try the tubers in peat in the garage in a styrofoam cooler and let you all know how it works.

* * * *
gailo