Instead, give the showy leaves of your ornamental sweet potatoes a try. They’re full of vitamins and antioxidants, plus they’re a good source of fiber. Raw sweet potato leaves have a slightly bitter taste (similar to spinach) but will lose their sharp flavor when boiled or steamed.
Are ornamental sweet potato plants edible?
The bottom line is that ornamental sweet potatoes are bred specifically for their foliage, whether it be bright purple or vivid green. They produce fleshy, tuberous roots like their edible counterparts, but the quality of the tubers is generally not suitable for eating.
Are ornamental sweet potato vines poisonous?
The leaves, stems, and tubers of sweet potato vine are not toxic. The tubers are edible, but ornamental varieties were bred to produce lovely foliage, not a delicious crop. If you want to eat the tubers, it’s better to plant a variety specifically meant for food production.
Are all varieties of sweet potato leaves edible?
Yes. Sweet potato plants are typically grown for their sweet tubers, but the leaves are great too. These edible leaves – scientifically called Ipomoea Batatas – contain high dietary fibre and can be absolutely delicious.
Can you eat potatoes from a decorative potato vine?
While you can eat the potatoes from a decorative potato or sweet potato vine, they likely won’t taste as good as the more common varieties you’d find at the grocery store or farmer’s market.
Are the roots of ornamental sweet potato vines edible?
Like the edible varieties the ornamental sweet potato vine will produce tuberous roots. The purple tuberous roots are edible but gardeners who have tried them, say they’re not tasty. Some gardeners try saving the tuberous roots overwinter much like dahlias. They store them in a cool dark location.
What is ornamental sweet potato?
The ornamental sweet potato is a bold tropical plant that grows as a perennial in Florida. The foliage is much more colorful than that of edible sweet potatoes. This unique plant is popular for containers and borders. In a container, the vines will quickly flow over the edges.
Can you eat sweet potatoes from ornamental sweet potato vines?
If you want sweet potatoes to eat, the tubers from your ornamental sweet potato vines are indeed edible. However, you’re better off choosing a variety that’s specifically developed as a food crop.
Are ornamental potato vine tubers edible?
So while the tuberous roots of the ornamental cultivars are edible, their flavor and texture are not likely to be of the same quality as those selected for eating.
How do you prepare sweet potato leaves to eat?
Wash sweet potato leaves and cut off the stem area, leaving only the leaves and a bit of the tender parts of the stem. In a wok or cooking pan, add cooking oil and smashed garlic, and cook on high heat for just about a minute. Add the sweet potato leaves in to the wok/pan and stir fry until veggies are halfway wilted.
How do you care for ornamental sweet potato vines?
The care of sweet potato plants is similar to most other vining houseplants in the home, spending summers outdoors. While tolerant of drought, these plants prefer to be kept moist (not soggy). Though prolific growers, you may fertilize monthly, if desired, using a general all-purpose, water soluble fertilizer.
Are sweet potato leaves healthier than spinach?
Sweet potato leaves have more Fiber, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin B1, however Spinach have more Vitamin K, Vitamin A RAE, Iron, and Vitamin C. Spinach’s daily need coverage for Vitamin K is 151% more. Sweet potato leaves have 2 times more Fiber than Spinach. Sweet potato leaves have 5.3g of Fiber, while Spinach has 2.2g.
Is sweet potato leaves good for high blood pressure?
Vitamin K in sweet potato leaves also helps reduce inflammation of the cells lining the blood vessels along your veins and arteries. Including sweet potato leaves in your daily diet helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure and reduces the risk of having heart attacks.
What part of the sweet potato vine is edible?
If sweet flesh is what you’re after, choosing a variety specifically selected for eating is recommended. The leaves and stems of the vine are also edible, with a slightly tangy flavor and a texture somewhat similar to spinach.
Do sweet potato plants come back every year?
Ornamental sweet potato vines will come back every year if you live in a warm enough climate (zones 9+). However, they will not survive outside through the winter in colder climates.
Should I remove sweet potato flowers?
When you see flowers on your potato plants, I recommend cutting them off for two main reasons. First of all, you don’t want the flowers to produce a fruit that small children or pets might be tempted to eat. Secondly, pruning the flowers is a great way to increase production of spuds.
How do you store ornamental sweet potato tubers?
Overwintering Ornamental Sweet Potatoes as Tubers
Take off any greenery that still remains. Pack the tubers in some well-moistened peat moss or newspaper and place them in a cool, dark place. Check the tubers every week to ensure they stay moist and mist them if necessary.
What should not be planted near sweet potatoes?
Some of the best companion plants for sweet potatoes include beans, marigolds, nasturtiums, alyssum, yarrow, and spinach. Avoid planting squashes, tomatoes, and sunflowers near your sweet potatoes!
Should I trim my sweet potato vines?
The vines of sweet potatoes tend to ramble far and wide, which is why many home gardeners don’t raise them. If vines are wandering out of bounds, try turning them back into the vegetable garden. It’s best not to trim vines; they help feed the potatoes.
Can ornamental sweet potato vine grow indoors?
You can simply grow a sweet potato vine as a hanging houseplant in a smaller container where your plant with beautiful lime green foliage can spill out, and enjoy eating sweet potato leaves as well. Containers also need a trellis to help the vines move upward rather than outward as they spread all around your home.
Do all sweet potato vines produce potatoes?
Yes, if your sweet potato vine is from an edible variety of sweet potato, it will produce edible potatoes if you plant it outdoors in May. By fall, you’ll be able to dig up the edible tuber.