Centennial

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your fork into Centennial’s richly saturated orange flesh—silky-smooth with a gentle sweetness that blooms as it warms.

The roots form with an elegant, uniform shape and a tender, velvety texture that shines in roasted preparations and hearty mashes, and it also lends itself beautifully to pies, soups, and vibrant purees. Grow Centennial for a dependable harvest of market-class orange roots at about 95 days, with the kind of color that makes every dish look freshly made.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Centennial’s orange flesh goes from tender to spoon-smooth without getting grainy, so it earns its keep in roasts and mashes where other sweet potatoes turn fibrous. Its gentle sweetness welcomes butter, spice, and citrus—none of it fights, it just rounds out the caramel-leaning warmth.

Best Uses

high-heat roasting where the edges caramelize and the center stays plush
fork-mashed with butter and salt for a glossy, uniform bite
thickening base for soups and chowders—no graininess, just silk
sweet potato pie or custard-style purees for clean, orange-forward sweetness

Flavor Profile

silky, velvety orange-flesh texture gentle sweetness with a warming, almost toasted note mild earthy flavor that stays creamy when cooked holds smoothness in purees and mashes

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon smoked paprika ginger vanilla lime juice

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato ‘Centennial’) and what should I do?

Sweet potato weevils and fungal root rots are common, especially if the soil stays wet or poorly drained. Check roots at lifting for tunnels or scabby, soft areas, remove any damaged plants, and avoid replanting sweet potatoes in the same bed for several years. Keep foliage dry and improve drainage before planting; after harvest, cure roots in warm, humid conditions so any minor cuts can heal and rot doesn’t spread.

How often should I water sweet potato ‘Centennial’ during its main growth phase?

During active vine growth, water deeply enough to wet the root zone, then wait until the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out before watering again. In beds, this often works out to about 1–2 waterings per week, but adjust for heat and how quickly your soil drains. Avoid frequent light watering—consistently wet soil encourages root rots and misshapen tubers.

How can I tell when ‘Centennial’ sweet potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 95 days from planting slips, when the vines begin to yellow and growth slows. Use a fork to gently lift and check tuber size—‘Centennial’ should have firm, well-formed roots filling the ridges. Do not harvest if cold weather is imminent; sweet potatoes bruise easily and should be dug before hard frost.