Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'NCORNSP-021SHJB' SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK)

Overview

The Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK is highly prized by ornamental gardeners for its exceptionally dark, nearly black, heart-shaped foliage that provides dramatic contrast in mixed plantings. As a popular Sweet potato vine, this cultivar transforms landscapes, offering a lush, dense texture whether mounding or trailing significantly. It is an easy-to-grow tropical native that thrives where temperatures remain mild, offering long-season visual interest until frost calls for overwintering or replanting, making it a reliable seasonal star.

This tuberous perennial excels as a low-maintenance feature, requiring consistent moisture and adequate sunlight to achieve its best, deepest purple leaf coloration and compact, bushy growth habit. While related to edible varieties, the ornamental nature of the Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK focuses purely on aesthetics rather than culinary yield. Its sprawling stems root as they grow, quickly covering ground or softening container edges.

Gardeners value the Sweet potato vine for its vigorous growth and the stunning depth of color provided by the Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK selection. Its adaptability allows it to function beautifully as aggressive ground cover or as dramatic spill-over in hanging baskets, ensuring rich, textural appeal throughout the growing season.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Convolvulaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-1 ft
  • Spread: 1.5-3 ft
• Bloom Time: Rarely flowers
• Bloom Description: Purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Starting your Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK is best done by purchasing established plants in spring and setting them out after all danger of frost has passed. This plant prefers average, well-drained soils, though consistent moisture is crucial for optimal health and leaf color intensity; full sun encourages the deepest pigmentation. If growing in containers, ensure drainage is sufficient, as soggy conditions can quickly lead to rot.

Maintenance requirements are generally low, focusing primarily on water management. Since healthy Sweet potato vine grows rapidly, container specimens may require regular pruning to maintain shape or to prevent them from outgrowing their confines. For gardeners in cooler regions, tuber harvesting in fall before the first hard frost is necessary for overwintering the plant.

To save tubers, carefully dig them, dry them, and store them in a cool, dry medium like vermiculite or peat moss in a basement setting. In early spring, these dormant tubers can be revived by setting them halfway into a jar of water to encourage sprouting before planting the new sections outdoors once the soil has warmed sufficiently. Rotating garden locations annually can help minimize the build-up of fungal diseases common to this species.

Landscape Uses

The ornamental cultivars of Ipomoea batatas, especially the dark-leaved Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK, are superb choices for adding dynamic movement and contrast. Their primary function is as sprawling ground covers, quickly knitting together bare patches of soil in sunny borders where their dark foliage draws the eye.

However, the trailing nature of this Sweet potato vine makes it indispensable in container designs. Plant it at the rim of urns, window boxes, or mixed container groupings where it can drape elegantly over the edge. It pairs beautifully with upright, lighter-colored annuals, such as silver Dichondra or bright green Calibrachoa, allowing the deep purple leaves to provide a striking, stabilizing backdrop.

In zones where it is grown as an annual, utilize the Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK aggressively for seasonal impact. Its dense growth suppresses weeds, and its low stature ensures it never obscures shorter border plants, making it a versatile and practical design element.

Standout Features

Noteworthy Characteristics

Ipomoea batatas, commonly called Sweet potato vine, has been cultivated for its edible tubers for millennia, though modern ornamental cultivars like Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK focus on foliage appeal. This specific selection features dark purple foliage held tightly on compact stems, reaching about 1’ tall but spreading widely. Ornamental varieties rarely flower, focusing energy on producing dramatic, heart-shaped leaves that transform this vegetable staple into a highly sought-after decorative plant.

Tolerances

• Tolerant of some shade, though deep purple leaf color requires more sun.

Potential Problems

Fungal leaf diseases are somewhat common, particularly if Sweet potato vine plants are grown in the same garden area year after year. To mitigate this cultural issue, ensure you practice crop rotation by moving your planting site annually. Monitor young growth for early signs of distress.

Insects that may bother this foliage plant include slugs, which can skeletonize large leaves overnight, thrips, and flea beetles. Protecting tubers and young sprouts from early pests is crucial for establishing a healthy summer display. Maintaining consistent soil moisture helps keep the foliage vigorous and less susceptible to attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Sweet potato vine suitable for?

The Sweet potato vine, identified as Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK, is formally a tender perennial hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11. Gardeners outside these zones should treat it as a fast-growing annual or plan to overwinter the tubers indoors.

How large does Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK grow?

When mature, this cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.5 to 1 foot tall, but it possesses a substantial trailing spread, often covering an area between 1.5 to 3 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Sweet potato vine need?

For the best deep purple leaf color and the densest, bushiest growth, the Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK requires full sun exposure, although it tolerates partial shade gracefully.

When does Sweet potato vine bloom?

This specific ornamental selection, the Sweet potato vine, rarely flowers; however, when blooms do appear, typically under stress or reduced day length, they are small, funnel-shaped, and purple.

Conclusion

The Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK offers unmatched dark, contrasting foliage and vigorous trailing habits, solidifying its role as a garden favorite. If you desire a low-maintenance powerhouse that offers intense color throughout the warm months, this Sweet potato vine delivers exceptional value. Remember to check your local frost dates before planting in spring or plan your winter tuber storage now.

Design Ideas for Dark Foliage

The dramatic, near-black leaves of the Ipomoea batatas ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ SWEET CAROLINE SWEETHEART JET BLACK are perfect for achieving high-impact contrast in landscape design. Use this dark foliage to make nearby bright colors pop—think vibrant oranges, hot pinks, or chartreuse groundcovers. Planting it next to silver-leaved plants creates a cool, sophisticated palette that reads almost architecturally in the garden.

When using this vine in containers, resist the urge to pair it with too many other dark colors; the richness of the purple is best appreciated against sharp contrasts like bright white petunias or lime-green sweet potato varieties. Allow the trailers to cascade freely over the edge, creating a visual “spill” effect that softens the hard lines of pots and walls.

Overwintering Tubers

Handling the tubers is the key maintenance task for gardeners outside USDA Zones 9–11. Before the first fall frost, cease watering heavily to allow the foliage to naturally die back, signaling the plant to prepare its tubers for dormancy. Dig the tubers carefully, clean off all soil, and allow them to dry thoroughly in a protected area for a couple of days. Store the dried tubers in labeled bags or containers filled with a dry medium, such as peat moss or vermiculite, keeping them in a cool, dark, and dry location like a basement corner until spring initiates sprouting.