This library and any plant lists generated from it reflect plants we’ve carried or could obtain over the past 12–18 months, not our current inventory or availability.
“Fire Wise” plants are not fireproof. These plants, when maintained properly, have a higher fire resistance reducing fire danger. This list is built on the recommendations of local governments and the Diablo Firesafe Council
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas 'Black Heart'
Height: 8 inches
Spacing: 20 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: (annual)
Brand: Proven Winners
Description:
A great addition to combination planters and hanging baskets, as well as being an annual groundcover in the landscape; loves heat and humidity, in those conditions it grows very quickly
Ornamental Features
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine is primarily valued in the garden for its spreading and trailing habit of growth. Its attractive heart-shaped leaves emerge grayish green in spring, turning dark gray in color with curious purple undersides throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine is a dense herbaceous annual with a trailing habit of growth, eventually spilling over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant. The flowers of this plant may actually detract from its ornamental features, so they can be removed as they appear. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting
- Hanging Baskets
Planting & Growing
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Black Heart Sweet Potato Vine is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Because of its trailing habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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