How to Grow Coconut Ice
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Coconut Ice
Ipomoea batatas 'Coconut Ice'
vegetableCoconut Ice is a ornamental sweet potato variety prized for its striking variegated foliage with white, cream, and green leaves. While it produces small edible tubers, it is primarily grown as an ornamental houseplant or tender perennial in containers and gardens. The vine features heart-shaped leaves with dramatic color patterns that intensify in cooler temperatures.
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Example Coconut Ice timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Coconut Ice
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Coconut Ice
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coconut Ice dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as an annual or houseplant in cooler zones
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Get my Coconut Ice timeline →Growth Stages
Propagation/Establishment
2-3 weeksNew slips or cuttings develop roots and establish initial leaf growth. Young plants are tender with small leaves.
Root slips in water or moist soil for 1-2 weeks before transplanting. Keep warm (70-80°F) and maintain high humidity. Provide bright, indirect light.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksVines produce abundant heart-shaped leaves with the characteristic white, cream, and green variegation. Plant becomes bushy and trailing.
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced, diluted fertilizer. Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth if desired. Increase light for more vibrant variegation.
Mature Foliage
Ongoing (throughout growing season)Plant reaches full size with dense, colorful foliage. Variegation patterns become more pronounced and striking. Vines can trail 3-5 feet or more.
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Fertilize monthly. Prune or pinch back to control size and maintain fullness. Cooler temperatures intensify white variegation.
Flowering (Optional)
Intermittent throughout seasonSmall purple or lavender flowers may appear, resembling morning glories. Flowering is not the primary ornamental feature.
Flowers are infrequent indoors or in containers. Remove spent flowers to redirect energy to foliage if desired.
Dormancy/Winter Rest
3-4 months (winter)Growth slows significantly in cool, short-day conditions. Plant may lose some leaves or show reduced vigor.
Reduce watering frequency but do not allow soil to dry completely. Reduce fertilizing. Maintain temperatures above 50°F. Move away from cold drafts.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity and mist foliage; spray with water or neem oil; isolate infested plants
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Remove with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Manually remove; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation
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Ensure well-draining soil; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; repot if necessary in fresh soil
Uses
Ornamental Houseplant & Container Growing
HouseholdCoconut Ice is a stunning variegated houseplant perfect for hanging baskets, tabletops, or as a trailing accent in mixed container gardens. Its striking foliage adds visual interest to indoor spaces and responds well to bright, indirect light. [source]
Tender Perennial Garden Accent
HouseholdIn warm zones, use as a tropical or tender annual plant in garden beds and borders. The white variegation provides contrast against darker foliage plants and adds brightness to shaded areas. [source]
Propagation & Sharing
CraftCoconut Ice is easily propagated from stem cuttings rooted in water, making it a wonderful plant to share with friends and fellow gardeners. Cuttings root quickly and establish easily. [source]
Edible Tubers (Secondary Use)
CulinaryWhile not selected for tuber production, Coconut Ice does produce small edible sweet potatoes that can be harvested and prepared like conventional sweet potatoes. Yields are modest due to ornamental focus. [source]
Pollinator-Friendly Flowers
WildlifeWhen flowering, the delicate purple blooms attract bees and other pollinators. Grown outdoors, this plant contributes to pollinator gardens with minimal maintenance. [source]
Harvest Tips
Coconut Ice is grown primarily for foliage rather than tuber production. Pinch off leaf tips and stems for propagation or arrangement. If tubers develop, harvest after frost kills vines or in fall; dig carefully around the base of the plant to avoid damage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Coconut Ice is a sport or cultivar of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), derived from the ornamental sweet potato line rather than edible varieties, making it a unique intersection of food and ornamental plants.
- 🌱 The striking variegation becomes more intense and vibrant in cooler temperatures and when plants receive adequate light, with some specimens displaying nearly pure white leaves in optimal conditions.
- 🌱 Despite its ornamental focus, Coconut Ice retains the sweet potato's ability to produce tubers, though these are typically small; the plant's growth energy is directed toward creating eye-catching foliage rather than substantial root production.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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