When to plant sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are frost-tender, so transplant 3–5 weeks after it. Plant when the soil is at least 65°F.
Sweet potatoes dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Transplant outside | May 11–25 |
|---|---|
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Jun 26 |
| Soil temperature | 65°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 90–120 |
| Spacing | 12–18 in apart |
Your sweet potato year
- Transplant outside
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for sweet potatoes
- Sweet potatoes are grown from rooted sprouts called slips, planted once soil is warm.
- Dig before soil drops below 50°F; chilling damages the roots.
- Cure at 80–85°F and high humidity for about a week for sweetness and storage.
When to plant sweet potatoes in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | May 1–15 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Apr 14–28 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Apr 3–17 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | May 14–28 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | May 11–25 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | May 12–26 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Apr 18 – May 2 |
Sweet potatoes planting FAQ
When should I plant sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are frost-tender, so transplant 3–5 weeks after it. Plant when the soil is at least 65°F.
How many days until sweet potatoes are ready to harvest?
Most sweet potato varieties take about 90–120 days from transplanting. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can sweet potatoes survive frost?
No. Sweet potatoes are damaged or killed by a 32°F frost, so wait until after your last frost and cover plants if a late frost is forecast.
How far apart should I plant sweet potatoes?
Space sweet potatoes 12–18 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant sweet potatoes?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing sweet potatoes
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.