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How to Grow Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato

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Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas 'Beauregard Purple'

vegetable

Beauregard Purple is a cultivar of sweet potato prized for its deep purple skin and vibrant orange flesh. It combines the ornamental appeal of purple varieties with the superior sweetness and yielding productivity of the popular Beauregard line. This heat-loving vine produces abundant, nutrient-dense tubers ideal for fresh market and culinary use.

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Example Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beauregard Purple Sweet Potato dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8-10 hours daily
💧
Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches weekly. Drought-tolerant once established, but consistent water improves yield. Reduce watering in late season to improve sugar concentration.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days
🌱
Planting depth: Plant slips (sprouted vines) 1 inch deep; tubers 4-6 inches deep for slip production

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil
pH: 5.8-6.2
Amendments:
Compost or well-rotted manure Potassium-rich fertilizer Sand or perlite for improved drainage Avoid excessive nitrogen

Growing Zones

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Thrives best in zones 7-11; requires warm soil and long growing season

7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Slip Production (Pre-planting)

3-6 weeks

Sweet potato tubers are planted to generate leafy sprouts (slips) for transplanting. Slips develop roots and small leaves in water or moist sand.

Store seed tubers in warm (70-75°F), humid conditions. Harvest slips when 6-8 inches tall with 3-4 leaves. Keep propagation medium consistently moist.

2

Establishment (Transplant to Vine Growth)

4-6 weeks

Newly transplanted slips establish roots and begin rapid vine and leaf growth. Vines spread horizontally across the soil surface.

Water regularly to aid root establishment. Provide consistent warmth (70°F+ soil temperature). Mulch lightly to retain moisture without promoting rot. Monitor for early pests.

3

Vegetative/Runner Development

6-8 weeks

Vigorous vine growth with extensive runners spreading across the garden bed. Heart-shaped leaves develop fully, creating dense foliage cover.

Minimal fertilizer needed; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes vines over tubers. Prune runners if space is limited. Maintain consistent watering and weed control.

4

Tuber Bulking

4-6 weeks

Underground tubers rapidly enlarge as plants mature. Vines remain productive but slow their horizontal spread. Purple skin deepens in color.

Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging. Reduce nitrogen; side-dress with potassium-rich fertilizer if needed. Avoid disturbing vines to protect developing tubers.

5

Maturity/Harvest Ready

Varies; typically late summer to fall

Tubers reach full size (6-10 inches long). Purple skin is deeply colored; foliage may show minor yellowing as plants senesce.

Harvest when soil temperature drops below 60°F or 90-120 days after planting. Dig carefully to avoid bruising. Cure tubers for 7-10 days at 80-85°F to harden skin before storage.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Beans Squash Marigolds Nasturtiums Thyme Garlic

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Potatoes (disease and pest overlap)

Common Pests

  • Use row covers early; yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation occurs

  • Use resistant varieties; practice crop rotation; store tubers at cool temperatures; inspect transplants carefully before planting

  • Row covers for transplants; neem oil spray; trap crops with radishes or mustard greens

  • Hand-pick if population is low; Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; parasitic wasps encourage beneficial predators

  • Increase humidity with regular watering; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide only if severe

  • and

    Ensure excellent drainage; avoid waterlogging; cure harvested tubers properly; store at 55-60°F with good air circulation

Uses

🍳

Roasting, baking & fries

Culinary

Beauregard Purple's orange flesh is naturally sweet and creamy, ideal for roasting, baking, mashing, and fries. The distinctive purple skin adds visual appeal to dishes. [source]

🍳

Soups and purees

Culinary

The dense, smooth texture of Beauregard Purple makes it excellent for velvety soups, bisques, and purees. Both skin and flesh contribute to elegant presentation. [source]

💊

Nutritional & antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Beauregard Purple is rich in beta-carotene, anthocyanins, and fiber, supporting vision, immune function, and digestive health. The purple pigmentation indicates high antioxidant content. [source]

🏠

Extended storage & food security

Household

Properly cured and stored Beauregard Purple tubers keep for 4-6 months, providing a reliable carbohydrate source throughout winter and spring. [source]

🦋

Ornamental vine cover & pollinator habitat

Wildlife

The vigorous, spreading vines create dense ground cover that can suppress weeds and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Heart-shaped foliage is decorative. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest 90-120 days after planting when soil temperature drops below 60°F (typically late September to October in most zones). Dig carefully with a garden fork to avoid bruising tubers. Cure harvested sweet potatoes at 80-85°F and 90-95% humidity for 7-10 days to harden skin and improve sweetness. Store at 55-60°F in a dark, well-ventilated location for 4-6 months.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Beauregard Purple is not a true 'purple sweet potato'—it's a purple-skinned variety with orange flesh, unlike Asian purple sweet potatoes which have purple flesh throughout. The purple skin contains anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries.
  • 🌱 Sweet potatoes are one of the oldest cultivated crops, domesticated in Central or South America over 5,000 years ago. Beauregard itself is a relatively modern cultivar (1987) bred in Louisiana for superior yield and disease resistance.
  • 🌱 Sweet potato vines can grow 3-4 feet in a single season and produce underground 'slip' roots along the runners, which is why careful harvesting and curing are essential to maximize yield.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Runner Transplant
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