How to Grow Sweet Potato in New Zealand
Kumara is a NZ staple, planted from tipu (rooted slips), not seed. Sprout your own by half-submerging a tuber in water. It thrives in the warm north summer where little else roots well, so hill up the soil as vines spread and harvest before the autumn rain. The leaves are edible too, cooked like spinach.
When to plant sweet potato in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | October, November |
| Auckland | October, November |
| Waikato & BoP | October, November |
| Wellington | November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | November, December |
| Canterbury | November |
| Otago & Southland | December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best sweet potato varieties for NZ
- Owairaka Red (Kumara) — The most common NZ kumara; red skin, creamy flesh, the local staple. (Kings Seeds (tipu/slips, spring), local nurseries)
- Toka Toka Gold (Kumara) — Northland-bred gold kumara with cream skin and a sweeter taste. (Local nurseries, garden centres (slips, spring))
- Beauregard (Orange) — Orange-fleshed and the sweetest of the three; quick to bulk up. (Kings Seeds, Mitre 10 (slips, spring))
How to grow sweet potato
- Space plants about 50cm apart.
- Sow seed around 10cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 150 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
Companion planting
Grow sweet potato near: Beans, Corn, Marigold.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant sweet potato in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in October, November. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy sweet potato seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds (tipu/slips, spring), local nurseries.