How to Grow Ice Princess

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Ice Princess

Ipomoea batatas 'Ice Princess'

vegetable

Ice Princess is a ornamental sweet potato variety with striking white and green variegated foliage that creates a dramatic landscape accent. Unlike traditional sweet potatoes grown for edible tubers, this cultivar is prized for its decorative heart-shaped leaves with white patterns and vining habit. It thrives as a tropical houseplant or summer annual in temperate climates.

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Example Ice Princess timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Ice Princess
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Ice Princess
Around Apr 21

≈ 4 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ice Princess dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to bright indirect light; tolerates 4-6 hours of direct sun but prefers afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Reduce watering in winter if grown indoors.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: Not applicable for ornamental use; mature foliage develops in 4-6 weeks

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Planting depth: Plant slips at soil surface; water in gently

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter

pH: 5.8-6.5

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss Perlite for container growing

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Year-round in zones 10-11; treat as annual or container plant in zones 3-9

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Slip Rooting

1-2 weeks

New slips develop roots in water or moist soil, showing small white root tips and beginning to establish

Keep in warm, humid conditions (70-75°F). Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide bright indirect light.

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Plant produces multiple trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves showing distinctive white and green variegation patterns

Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer. Pinch tips occasionally to encourage bushier growth. Provide stakes or trellis if vertical growth desired.

Established Vining

Ongoing during growing season

Long trailing vines develop, creating dense coverage with mature variegated foliage throughout the plant

Continue regular watering and feeding. Prune back leggy growth to maintain desired shape. Monitor for pests.

Dormancy (Indoor/Overwintering)

3-4 months

If grown indoors in winter, growth slows dramatically and foliage may reduce in size

Reduce watering frequency. Keep in warm location (65-70°F minimum). Provide bright indirect light. Minimal fertilizing needed.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coleus Caladiums Impatiens Begonias Dusty Miller Creeping Jenny

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees Dense competing vines that limit light

Common Pests

Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days if infestation occurs.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until controlled.
Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5-7 days.
Manually remove visible scales. Treat with horticultural oil spray or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days.

Uses

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Ornamental Container Plant

Household

Ice Princess is excellent for hanging baskets, mixed containers, and tropical-themed gardens where its variegated foliage provides dramatic visual interest. The white and green patterned leaves create striking contrast with darker-leaved companion plants. [source]

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Indoor Houseplant

Household

Thrives as a tropical houseplant in bright indirect light, perfect for shelves, plant stands, or hanging planters in warm homes. Adds year-round greenery in temperate climates when grown indoors. [source]

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Floral and Foliage Arrangements

Craft

The distinctive variegated stems and leaves are highly sought after by florists and crafters for fresh arrangements, adding texture and visual interest. Can be dried for long-lasting display. [source]

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Hummingbird and Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

While grown primarily for foliage, the plant occasionally produces small morning glory-like flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. The vining habit provides shelter for beneficial insects. [source]

Harvest Tips

Ice Princess is grown for ornamental foliage rather than edible tubers. Harvest stems and leaves as desired for arrangements or propagation. To propagate, take 4-6 inch cuttings and root in water or moist soil. In fall, before frost, take cuttings to overwinter indoors for spring planting.

Fun Facts

🌱 Ice Princess is a cultivar of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), the same species grown for edible tubers, but this variety is selected for its striking foliage rather than root production.
🌱 The variegated leaf pattern is caused by genetic factors that reduce chlorophyll production in certain leaf areas, creating the distinctive white and green appearance.
🌱 Ice Princess grows vigorously in warm conditions and can produce vines 3-5 feet long in a single growing season, making it an excellent choice for quick coverage in tropical and subtropical gardens.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Cultivar Partial Shade Trellis

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