How to Grow Coloratum
Wikimedia Commons
Coloratum
Ipomoea batatas 'Coloratum'
vineColoratum is a ornamental sweet potato cultivar prized for its stunning deep purple foliage that creates dramatic color contrast in garden beds and containers. This vigorous trailing vine produces heart-shaped leaves in rich burgundy to purple tones and delicate pink or lavender flowers. It's grown primarily for ornamental appeal rather than tuber production, making it an excellent choice for borders, hanging baskets, and landscape design.
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Example Coloratum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Coloratum
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 Coloratum
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coloratum dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; can be grown as an annual in zones 7-8 with warm conditions
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Establishment
2-3 weeksYoung plants with green foliage beginning to develop purple tones; vine is compact with limited branching.
Water regularly to keep soil moist; provide bright light to encourage purple coloration. Protect from strong winds. Pinch tips early to encourage branching.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksVine rapidly elongates with increasingly purple heart-shaped leaves; foliage deepens in color with purple undertones becoming prominent.
Maintain consistent moisture and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or slightly higher nitrogen fertilizer. Train vines on supports or allow to cascade. Prune to shape as desired.
Peak Foliage
6-12 weeks or until frostMature, full-color foliage display with rich deep purple leaves; vine is vigorous and densely leafed. Plant achieves maximum ornamental impact.
Continue regular watering and occasional fertilizing. Monitor for pests. Deadhead flowers if appearance becomes sparse. Maintain shape through selective pruning.
Flowering
Throughout growing season in warm zonesDelicate pink, lavender, or light purple flowers appear among foliage; blooms are small and funnel-shaped, typical of Ipomoea.
Flowers are secondary to foliage; minimal care adjustment needed. Deadheading is optional and doesn't significantly impact plant vigor.
Dormancy/Decline
Late fall through winterIn cooler zones, vine growth slows significantly; foliage may fade or plant may be killed back by frost.
In zones 7-8, grow as annual and allow to decline with frost. In zones 9-11, reduce watering and cut back for winter. Bring potted plants indoors before first frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly; maintain good air circulation; remove heavily infested leaves
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe
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Hand-remove or treat with horticultural oil spray; inspect regularly
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Use well-draining soil; avoid overwatering; practice crop rotation in beds; difficult to treat once infected
Uses
Landscape Accent & Container Plant
OrnamentalColoratum's deep purple foliage makes it an outstanding choice for creating dramatic color contrast in mixed beds, borders, hanging baskets, and container gardens. Its trailing or mounding habit adds textural interest to garden designs. [source]
Cut Foliage & Floral Arrangements
CraftThe striking purple leaves can be cut and used in fresh floral arrangements and bouquets to add unusual color and texture. Stems last well in water, making them valuable for florists and home arrangers. [source]
Interior Plant & Winter Propagation
HouseholdColoratum can be grown indoors on sunny windowsills, in hanging planters, or under grow lights. Cuttings taken in fall can be rooted and maintained indoors over winter to propagate new plants for spring planting. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate flowers attract butterflies and bees, making it a useful ornamental for pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Coloratum is not typically harvested; it is grown for ornamental foliage throughout the growing season. Pinch or deadhead as needed for shape and appearance. Tubers are not edible or desirable for consumption. In fall, before first frost in zones 7-8, take cuttings to propagate indoors over winter.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Coloratum is a cultivar of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), the same species that produces edible tubers, but its tubers are inedible and not the focus of cultivation.
- 🌱 The deep purple color in Coloratum's foliage is attributed to anthocyanin pigments, which intensify with exposure to bright sunlight and cooler temperatures.
- 🌱 Coloratum vines can grow 4-6 feet or longer in a single season, making them excellent for creating living screens, groundcover, or dramatic cascading displays in containers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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