How to Grow Sweet Potato 'Beauregard'

Sweet Potato 'Beauregard'

Ipomoea batatas 'Beauregard'

vegetable

Beauregard is a high-yielding sweet potato variety known for its copper-red skin and orange flesh. It produces uniform, medium-sized tubers with excellent flavor and stores well for extended periods. This cultivar is a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers for its disease resistance and consistent performance.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours optimal for best yields

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Water: Consistent moisture during establishment and tuber development; avoid waterlogging. Deep watering 1-2 times weekly rather than frequent shallow watering. Reduce watering as harvest approaches.

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Spacing: 12-15 inches apart in rows 36-48 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 90-120 days (typically 100-110 days)

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Planting depth: Plant slips (rooted cuttings) 1-2 inches deep; do not exceed 3 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining, loose, sandy loam soil with moderate fertility

pH: 5.8-6.2

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure (light application) Phosphorus (bone meal or rock phosphate) Potassium (wood ash or kelp meal) Avoid high nitrogen, which promotes excessive vine growth

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8-11; can be grown in zone 7 with careful timing and mulching

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

Growth Stages

Slip Development

1-2 weeks pre-planting prep

Rooted slips (young transplants) with 2-4 true leaves, ready for field planting

Harden off slips 7-10 days before transplanting. Ensure soil temperature is 65°F+ before planting. Keep moist but not waterlogged during this transition.

Establishment & Root Development

4-6 weeks

Vines establish and root system develops; minimal visible vine growth initially (4-6 weeks after planting)

Water regularly to promote slip establishment. Mulch lightly with straw (2-3 inches) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizer.

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Vigorous vine development with heart-shaped leaves covering ground; underground stolons begin forming tubers

Maintain consistent moisture. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer or compost if needed. Manage weeds before vines fully cover soil. No pruning necessary unless controlling spread.

Tuber Bulking & Development

6-8 weeks

Vines continue growing; stolons thicken into smooth, copper-red tubers underground (weeks 8-14)

Ensure adequate potassium and phosphorus. Water deeply but less frequently; soil should be moist but well-drained. Do not disturb soil to avoid damaging developing tubers.

Maturity & Pre-Harvest

2-3 weeks

Tubers reach full size (typically 5-8 inches long); skin sets and cures on plant

Reduce watering 2-3 weeks before harvest to allow skin maturation. Monitor for early frost in cooler zones. Harvest before first frost for best storage quality.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Corn Beans (nitrogen-fixing legumes) Squash Cucumbers Nasturtiums (pest distraction) Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) Root vegetables (carrots, parsnips) - competition for space Other heavy feeders in same area

Common Pests

Wrap base of plants with aluminum foil; use row covers early season; inject BT into stems; remove affected vines immediately
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce parasitic wasps; reflective mulches deter infestations
Spray with water to dislodge; neem oil; increase humidity; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
Crop rotation (3+ year gaps); remove infested tubers; store at 55°F or below; use resistant varieties where available
Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; neem oil spray; parasitic wasps
Row covers for young plants; neem oil; kaolin clay spray; remove debris where they overwinter

Uses

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Roasting, Baking & Sweet Dishes

Culinary

Beauregard's orange flesh and natural sweetness make it ideal for roasted wedges, baked whole, mashed, fries, and desserts like sweet potato pie and casserole. [source]

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Nutritious Staple Ingredient

Culinary

Rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. Used in savory curries, soups, and grain bowls as a nutrient-dense carbohydrate. [source]

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Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Support

Medicinal

The high antioxidant content and vitamin A support eye health, immune function, and may reduce inflammation. Traditional medicine uses include digestive support. [source]

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Extended Storage & Shelf Life

Household

Beauregard varieties are prized for long storage life (3-6 months in proper conditions), making them ideal for fall harvest and winter consumption without refrigeration. [source]

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Cover Crop & Soil Improvement

Wildlife

Sweet potato vines can be tilled in as green manure to improve soil structure and organic matter, while also providing wildlife forage during growing season. [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, or after vines are killed by frost. Beauregard tubers are mature when they reach 5-8 inches long and copper skin is set. Dig carefully with a spading fork to avoid bruising; cure harvested tubers at 80-85°F and 90-95% humidity for 7-10 days before storage. Store at 55-60°F in a dark, well-ventilated location for up to 6 months.

Fun Facts

🌱 Beauregard was developed by Louisiana State University and released in 1987; it became the most widely grown sweet potato variety in North America by the 1990s due to its disease resistance and consistent yields.
🌱 Sweet potatoes are not botanically related to common potatoes—they belong to the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), while potatoes are nightshades (Solanaceae).
🌱 The vines of sweet potatoes can grow 10+ feet long if left unchecked; gardeners can harvest nutritious sweet potato greens during the growing season for salads and cooked greens.

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