Hernandez

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your fork into Hernandez’s richly colored orange flesh, where a sweet, honeyed aroma rises with every bite.

At maturity (about 95 days), the roots form with a smooth, attractive skin and a tender, velvety texture that shines in oven-roasted favorites, silky mash, and vibrant purées. Grow Hernandez for a dependable harvest that brings warm color and comforting sweetness to your seasonal table.

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	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Sep 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hernandez orange sweet potato cooks into a soft, almost custard-like texture with a clear honeyed aroma—ideal for roasting or blending until fully smooth. Its sweetness plays best against bright acid and warm spice, so let lime or ginger sharpen the finish instead of covering it.

Best Uses

oven-roasting wedges until the edges bronze and the center goes silky
silky mash with a splash of butter and warm dairy
pureeing into a smooth soup base or velouté-style side
baking into a custardy pie filling or cheesecake-style purée

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness creamy, velvety interior gentle starchy nuttiness caramel-like aroma when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

lime cinnamon brown butter vanilla ginger marinated black pepper pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), and what should I do?

Sweet potato often suffers from sweet potato weevil (larvae in storage roots) and from root rot/fusarium problems in overly wet soil. Rotate plantings away from previous sweet potatoes and keep beds well-drained; avoid planting slips into cool, waterlogged ground. Inspect roots at harvest for tunnels/brown galleries and discard heavily infested roots rather than composting them.

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

During active vine growth, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Once roots start bulking (usually mid-season), water more deeply only when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out to prevent root rot. Stop watering about 1–2 weeks before harvest so roots cure better in storage.

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

Harvest at about 95 days after planting slips, or when vines begin to yellow and foliage declines. Before digging, wait for a light frost-free period; sweet potatoes are best harvested before hard freezes. Carefully dig and check that roots are sized and firm with smooth skins—if skins rub off easily, leave the bed a bit longer.