Grown Kolibri Purple Sweet Potato?

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Kolibri Purple Sweet Potato — Root vegetables

90-120days to harvest

10-21days to germinate

Z9–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

F1 hybridContainer friendly

Sowing

Plant slips after soil temperature reaches 65°F and all danger of frost has passed. Can be grown from purchased slips or cuttings.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, loose soil with good organic matter
Soil pH: 5.8-6.2
Spacing: 12-18 inches
Height: 6-10 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Purple skin with cream flesh
Size: 3-5 inches long, 2-3 inches diameter
Shape: Oval to elongated tubers
Flavour: Mildly sweet with nutty undertones, less sweet than orange varieties

In the kitchen

Roasting, baking, mashing, chips. The purple skin adds color contrast to dishes.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Sweet potato weevil, flea beetles, wireworms
Diseases: Black rot, fusarium wilt, root rot in poorly drained soils
Resistance: Good resistance to most sweet potato diseases, naturally pest resistant

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	—	—	June – July	September
2	—	—	May – July	September
3	—	—	May – June	August – October
4	—	—	April – June	August – October
5	—	—	April – May	July – November
6	—	—	April – May	July – November
7	—	—	March – May	July – November
8	—	—	March – April	June – December
9	—	—	February – March	May – December
10	—	—	January – March	May – December
11	—	—	January – February	April – December
12	—	—	January – February	April – December
13	—	—	January – February	April – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

NasturtiumsRepels sweet potato weevils, Colorado potato beetles, and aphids while acting as trap crop

MarigoldsDeters nematodes and sweet potato weevils with their strong scent and root secretions

Bush BeansFixes nitrogen in soil to benefit sweet potato growth without competing for space

OreganoRepels many harmful insects and doesn't compete with sweet potato's spreading growth habit

ThymeNatural pest deterrent that grows low and won't interfere with sweet potato vines

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects while requiring minimal ground space

SpinachCool-season crop that can be harvested before sweet potatoes spread, maximizing garden space

LettuceQuick-growing crop that can utilize space before sweet potato vines spread extensively

Avoid

SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit sweet potato growth and tall plants create excessive shade

TomatoesBoth are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, and share similar pest problems

Walnut TreesProduce juglone which is toxic to sweet potatoes and inhibits root development

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 42
Protein (g): 2.49
Fat (g): 0.51
Carbohydrate (g): 8.82
Fibre (g): 5.3
Vitamin A (µg): 189
Vitamin C (mg): 11
Vitamin K (µg): 302
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.19
Calcium (mg): 78
Iron (mg): 0.97
Magnesium (mg): 70
Phosphorus (mg): 81
Potassium (mg): 508
Selenium (µg): 0.9

← PreviousRed Norland Potato Next →King Richard Leek

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the root vegetables growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Kolibri Purple Sweet Potato?

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