Sumor

Family: Convolvulaceae Root Vegetable

Silky-smooth and luminous, Sumor’s white sweet potatoes bake into a creamy, pale-gold interior with a delicately sweet, mellow flavor that feels almost vanilla-kissed.

The flesh turns tender and velvety, holding its shape beautifully for mashes and hearty sides, while the skin stays clean and bright for easy handling in the garden. Grow Sumor for a long, satisfying season—about 105 days—then enjoy a harvest prized for its refined sweetness and luxurious texture in everything from roasted wedges to spoonable purées and comforting casseroles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 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 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sumor’s white-fleshed sweetness stays refined rather than sugary, so it plays nicest when you lean on gentle fats and warm spices to amplify aromas. Bake it until the center is spoon-tender—this is a sweet potato that turns luxuriously smooth without falling apart into watery mash.

Best Uses

baked and scooped for spoonable purée
roasted wedges where the edges brown but the center stays creamy
creamy mash with butter and a pinch of salt
comforting casseroles that need a smooth, cohesive texture

Flavor Profile

mellow, subtly sweet flavor silky, velvety interior light vanilla-like aroma note tender flesh that mashes without turning gluey

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon maple syrup lime juice goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Sweet potato often suffers from sweet potato weevil damage (holes in roots) and from fungal problems like storage rot (e.g., when roots are kept too wet after harvest). To reduce weevil risk, plant clean, disease-free slips and avoid replanting in the same bed; cover freshly planted slips to deter egg-laying and remove any badly damaged plants early. Harvest at 105 days, cure roots warm and humid for about a week, and store only firm, uninjured roots to prevent storage rot.

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

During active vine growth (roughly once slips are established until about mid-season), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1–2.5 cm (0.5–1 in) of water per week, increasing if your soil dries quickly. Once roots begin bulking (late season), water less frequently but deeply, and stop regular watering about 2 weeks before harvest to avoid splitting and soft rot.

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

Harvest when the days to maturity approach 105 days and the vines begin to yellow and decline, especially after the plant has had full sun through the season. You can confirm readiness by gently loosening the soil near a vine and checking that tuberous roots are well-sized with firm skin. Avoid waiting until after heavy frost—sweet potatoes are damaged by cold and should be lifted before freezing weather.