Create Your Garden

Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Potato Vine)

Man Of The Earth, Wild Potato, Wild Sweet Potato, Manroot, Indian Potato, American Bell-Bind, Batata, Man in the Ground, Mechameck, Potato Vine, Wild Jalap, Wild Potato Vine, Wild Sweet Potato Vine, Ipomoea pandurata var. rubescens

Ipomoea pandurata, Man Of The Earth, Wild Potato, Wild Sweet Potato, Manroot, Indian Potato, American Bell-Bind, Batata, Man in the Ground, Mechameck, Potato Vine, Wild Jalap, Wild Potato Vine, Wild Sweet Potato Vine

Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Potato Vine) is a large, twining or trailing perennial vine with long stems clothed with olive green, heart-shaped leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm), adorned with a pointed tip and reddish purple petioles. From late spring to early fall, large, funnel-shaped, white flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), with deep purple throats appear in clusters in the leaf axils. Blooming for about 2 months, the flowers bloom during the morning or during the afternoon on cloudy days. They give way to 2-celled capsules that contain 2-4 seeds. The root system produces a large tuber that can lie several feet beneath the ground surface and weigh up to 20-30 lb. The common name of this Ipomoea species refers to the large tuberous root, which is edible after being cooked. Wild Potato Vine climbs adjacent vegetation or sprawls across the ground in open areas. Perfect to hide an unforgiving fence, climb a wall or scramble through arbors and trellises.

  • Fast-growing, this perennial vine will grow up to 15-30 ft. tall (450-900 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide (90-180 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun to part shade in average, moist, well-drained soils. Can tolerate dry soil after it has become established. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for pergolas, walls, fences, or as a ground cover.
  • Self-seeds easily without being invasive. Removing dead flower heads to prevent self-seeding is recommended.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. This plant is difficult to eradicate from the landscape due to its extensive root system.
  • This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 8
Plant Type Climbers, Perennials
Plant Family Convolvulaceae
Genus Ipomoea
Common names Batata
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Midwest, Michigan, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Dry Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Ground Covers, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ipomoea (Morning Glory)
Not sure which Ipomoea (Morning Glory) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato)
Ipomoea cordatotriloba (Tievine)
Ipomoea hederifolia (Scarlet Creeper)
Ipomoea imperati (Beach Morning Glory)
Ipomoea pes-caprae (Railroad Vine)
Ipomoea × sloteri (Cardinal Climber)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
September Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
Best and Worst Companion Plants for Sweet Potatoes
Native Plant Alternatives to Ipomoea purpurea (Morning Glory)
Great Climbers and Vines for Mediterranean Gardens in Cool Countries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 8
Plant Type Climbers, Perennials
Plant Family Convolvulaceae
Genus Ipomoea
Common names Batata
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Midwest, Michigan, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Dry Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Ground Covers, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ipomoea (Morning Glory)
Not sure which Ipomoea (Morning Glory) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Potato Vine) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Ipomoea pandurata (Wild Potato Vine) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone