Sweet potatoes are warm-season root crops often associated with large garden plots. Growing them in containers or buckets offers a practical solution for gardeners with limited space, such as on a patio, balcony, or small urban yard. This method contains the plant’s vigorous vining habit, focusing its energy on tuber production. Cultivating sweet potatoes in a controlled environment like a bucket allows for precise management of the soil and nutrients, leading to a satisfying harvest in a compact footprint.
Selecting the Container and Soil Medium
The size of the container directly affects the potential yield, so choosing an appropriately sized vessel is the first step toward a successful harvest. While a standard five-gallon bucket can support a single sweet potato plant, a larger container, such as one holding 10 to 20 gallons, is preferable for higher production of well-formed storage roots. Regardless of size, the container must have multiple drainage holes drilled into the bottom to ensure excess water can escape freely.
Sweet potatoes require a loose, well-draining substrate to allow for proper expansion of the developing tubers. Garden soil should be avoided because it compacts easily in containers, leading to misshapen or stunted growth. A commercial potting mix provides the necessary aeration and structure. This mix can be improved further by amending it with materials like compost, aged manure, or perlite, facilitating healthy root growth and an easier harvest.
Preparing and Planting the Sweet Potato Slips
Sweet potatoes are grown from vegetative cuttings called “slips,” which are sprouts that emerge from a mature storage root. These slips can be purchased from a nursery or sprouted at home by suspending an untreated sweet potato in water or planting a half-section in a tray of moist soil medium. Once the slips develop roots and a few leaves, they are ready for transplanting into the bucket, a process that should only occur after the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is reliably warm.
To plant the slip, fill the prepared bucket with soil mix and create a small hole deep enough for the roots and lower stem. Plant the slip deep enough so the root system and several nodes along the stem are covered by the soil, leaving only the top leaves exposed. Burying the stem encourages the formation of new roots along its length, which will swell to become the edible storage roots. After planting, gently firm the soil around the base of the slip and water thoroughly to settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
Ongoing Care and Cultivation Requirements
Sweet potatoes thrive in high heat and require full sunlight, needing a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun exposure daily for optimal growth. Container plants dry out more quickly than in-ground plants, making consistent moisture management necessary. Water the soil regularly, typically when the top one to two inches feel dry to the touch, aiming to provide the equivalent of about one inch of water per week.
The plant’s nutritional needs shift throughout the growing season, which is important for maximizing tuber development. Early on, a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) supports initial vine establishment. After the first month, switch to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium feed (e.g., 5-10-15 or 3-5-20) to prevent excessive leaf growth at the expense of storage roots. Apply fertilizer every few weeks, as the limited volume of the bucket means nutrients are quickly depleted. The vigorous vines can be left to sprawl or lightly pruned if space is limited.
Determining the Right Time for Harvest
Most sweet potato varieties require a long growing season, reaching maturity between 90 and 120 days after planting the slips. The most reliable visual cue for harvest is the natural yellowing and dieback of the foliage. It is important to harvest before the soil temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or before a hard frost, as cold can damage the roots and negatively affect their storage life.
To harvest from a bucket, simply tip the entire container onto a tarp or wheelbarrow and sift through the loose soil to locate the tubers, avoiding damage caused by digging tools. Once harvested, the sweet potatoes require curing, which heals minor cuts and converts starches into sugars. Curing involves storing the roots at a high temperature (ideally 80 to 85°F) with high humidity for one to two weeks, significantly improving flavor and long-term storage potential.