Illusion Emerald Lace

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Feel the spell of Illusion Emerald Lace as its trailing foliage spills in luminous, emerald-green rosettes—an ornamental sweet potato grown for its living tapestry.

The leaves form delicate, lace-like edges with a crisp, velvety look that catches light beautifully from every angle, while the tubers develop beneath the soil with a subtle, earthy charm. Ideal for containers, edging, and summer displays, this variety delivers long-lasting, showy color and a graceful, vine-forward presence all season long.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Illusion Emerald Lace

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 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Even though it’s grown for its lacey emerald foliage, the leaves and tubers behave like classic sweet potato—use the greens quickly so they stay crisp-tender, and treat the tubers to dry heat so their starches go creamy instead of watery.

Best Uses

quick-sautéed sweet potato leaves with garlic and chili
blanched-and-drained leaves dressed while warm
roasted or pan-caramelized tuber wedges for a soft, sweet center
tuber mash folded into herb-forward fillings

Flavor Profile

crisp, tender leafy-green bite mild sweet-potato earthiness creamy-tuber potential when cooked slightly vegetal, fresh-cut finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon chile flakes olive oil tahini black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common for Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and how should I treat it?

A frequent issue is sweet potato vine decline from sweet potato whitefly, which causes leaf yellowing and sticky honeydew. Check the undersides of leaves weekly; if you see adults or heavy nymphs, spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem and remove badly infested leaves to reduce spread. If vines collapse from rot, dig and discard affected plants promptly—sweet potato storage roots can’t recover from rot once established in the bed.

How often should I water Ipomoea batatas during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

After slips are established, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, increasing to 1–2 inches during hot, dry spells. The best indicator is soil texture: water deeply when the top 1–2 inches are dry, and stop frequent light watering that keeps the bed soggy. In the final 2–3 weeks before harvest, water less to help roots cure and reduce rot risk.

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

Harvest at about 100 days after planting slips, typically when lower leaves start to yellow and vines begin to die back. For the most reliable check, gently lift one or two roots with a garden fork and confirm the skin is thick and the roots reach their intended size. Handle carefully at harvest—sweet potatoes bruise easily, and damaged roots should be used first rather than cured for storage.