Puerto Rico

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Puerto Rico’s sweet, honeyed flesh—rich and fragrant with a warm, golden glow that feels almost velvety in the bowl.

At maturity, the roots develop smooth, coppery skins and a tender, moist texture that shines in roasted wedges, mashed mounds, and silky purées, with standout sweetness that also sings in pies and custards. For home gardeners, Puerto Rico is a dependable 90-day favorite: plant once, then watch the vines spread and the harvest build with generous, flavorful roots.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 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 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	70
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Puerto Rico leans unmistakably sweet and fragrant, with flesh that goes creamy without turning gluey—so it holds up to high heat and stays luxurious in a mash. Use it where you want caramelized edges and a spoonable, custard-like payoff, not just background sweetness.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with crisped edges (finish with salt and a squeeze of citrus)
silk-smooth mash or purée with butter/olive oil emulsification
custardy pies and thick sweet fillings
pan-roasted cubes for sticky-sweet glaze bowls

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness velvety, moist interior warm, slightly nutty aroma smooth caramelized edges when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon lime or orange vanilla pecans or walnuts ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leaf spots and sweet potato weevil damage?

Leaf spots are common when foliage stays wet—water at the soil line and remove badly spotted leaves early in the season. If you see persistent spotting, improve airflow and apply an appropriate copper-based fungicide following label directions. Sweet potato weevils can ruin roots—check slips and keep the bed weed-free, and avoid replanting sweet potatoes in the same spot for several years.

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

After slips take hold, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. During warm, fast vine growth, water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries, since sweet potatoes form tuberous roots underground. Stop heavy watering about 10–14 days before harvest so the roots cure better in storage.

How can I tell when Ipomoea batatas is ready to harvest around day 90?

Harvest when vines begin to yellow and the roots have filled out—typically about 90 days after planting slips, but timing shifts with growing conditions. Gently dig one plant to confirm size and color, and harvest before light frosts (plants are sensitive to cold). After lifting, cure the roots for several days in warm, humid conditions for better sweetness and storage.