Excel

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety, honeyed sweetness blooms in Excel’s orange sweet potatoes, with a rich, creamy interior that turns luxuriously tender when roasted.

The tubers form with an even, market-ready shape and a smooth, coppery-orange skin that promises beauty as well as flavor. Grow Excel for dependable harvests around 120 days—ideal for creating comforting orange-forward dishes, from oven-roasted wedges to silky mashes and vibrant sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 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	Aug 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Excel’s orange flesh gets plush and creamy without turning stringy, so it handles roasting and purée work with that pudding-like mouthfeel. Its sweetness caramelizes nicely—use sharp acid like lime to keep it from tipping dessert-sweet and to sharpen the roast flavor.

Best Uses

high-heat oven roasting as thick wedges that crisp on the edges and go silky inside
silky mash or purée with a butter splash for a spoon-coating texture
smooth soups or bisques where the natural sweetness rounds out aromatics
thick orange-sweet purée sauces for pork, poultry, or grain bowls

Flavor Profile

velvety, honeyed sweetness creamy, custard-like interior roasty nutty notes when caramelized balanced earthy finish (not cloying)

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon smoked paprika lime juice maple syrup pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and how can I prevent it?

Sweet potato weevil and root damage are common, but the most reliable prevention at home is starting with certified, virus-free slips and keeping the bed weed-free to reduce insect habitat. Watch for wilting and black/brown rotting on stems and storage roots (often from poor drainage or waterlogged soil), and remove any diseased plants early while improving drainage before the next planting season.

How often should I water Ipomoea batatas during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week, increasing to 2 inches during hot, dry spells. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out, then stop frequent light watering to avoid soft, rot-prone tuber development.

How do I tell when Ipomoea batatas is ready to harvest?

Harvest 90–120 days after planting slips (for your schedule, around 120 days) when the vines begin to yellow and most leaves look tired. Choose a dry day, gently loosen the soil with a fork, and harvest before any frost—small, firm roots are better than waiting for the vines to fully collapse.