When you think of a sweet potato, is the delicious tuber the first thing you think of? Batate impresses not only with its exceptional taste in culinary terms. The plant itself also has a very attractive appearance and enchants many a gardener as an ornamental plant. See for yourself the beautiful sight of a sweet potato plant. The following article will introduce you to numerous ways to make the morning glory plant an eye-catcher in your garden. You will also receive useful tips on choosing the right location.
Is the sweet potato also suitable as an ornamental plant?
The sweet potato is suitable as an attractive ornamental plant with a variety of design options, such as as a tendril on garden fences or in a pot. It requires warm, sunny locations and harmonizes in mixed culture with vegetables or summer flowers.
One plant, double benefit
Unfortunately, the sweet potato is not hardy and therefore only brings joy for one season. However, it has a lot ahead of other plants because after planting in May, its purchase pays off in many ways: during the summer the beautiful flowers open and the long shoots begin to twine. In autumn, the plant rewards careful care with a rich harvest of delicious sweet potatoes.
External appearance of the sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are available in many different varieties. The diversity of species is not only limited to the shape and taste of the tubers, but also varies in terms of the color of the leaves and flowers. Possible examples are, for example:
- white-violet flowers
- dark brown leaves
- reddish leaves
- deep green leaves
Suitable locations
Looking at it might make you think: the sweet potato comes from the tropics and loves warm, sunny locations. A south-facing garden is ideal for placing batate in the bed. Alternatively, a greenhouse provides the necessary warmth. But the plant also thrives in the flower box. So if you don't have a garden, keeping them on the balcony is definitely possible. Caution: Varieties with very dark leaves dry out quickly in direct sunlight. It is better to place these in partial shade.
Design ideas
You can keep your sweet potatoes either outdoors or in a container. Direct your attention specifically to the exotic plant. These suggestions show how it could work:
Planting partner
Sweet potatoes are ideal for mixed cultivation. Together with other vegetables they add color to your bed. Prefer vegetable types that are harvested before the batate so that all plants have enough space to develop their fruits. In general, sweet potatoes harmonize wonderfully with summer flowers.
Stage sweet potatoes
- as a tendril on garden fences, fountains, old objects or house walls
- braided as a privacy screen
- in the hanging basket
- in the pot on the terrace or in rock gardens
