What hardiness zones is Ipomoea batatas 'Georgia Jet' suitable for?

Ipomoea batatas 'Georgia Jet' is a warm-season perennial grown as an annual, reaching 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall with a spread of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) and a trailing, vining habit with heart-shaped leaves. Developed at the University of Georgia, it produces medium, slightly tapered tubers 5-7 inches (13-18 cm) long with reddish-purple skin and deep orange, moist, sweet flesh. The fastest-maturing sweet potato—80-90 days from slips, making it the standard choice for northern and short-season gardens. Growth rate is very fast. More cold-tolerant than most sweet potatoes—begins growing at slightly cooler soil temperatures. Stores 4-6 months when properly cured. Produces good-size tubers even in 80-day seasons.

Native Range

Ipomoea batatas originated in Central and South America. 'Georgia Jet' was developed at the University of Georgia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—baking, roasting, mashing, fries. Fastest sweet potato 80-90 days—standard for northern/short-season gardens. Deep orange moist sweet flesh. Reddish-purple skin. UGA. Stores 4-6 months. More cold-tolerant at planting. Not suitable for maximum yield or longest storage (Beauregard better for both).

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Beauregard' by the faster maturity (80-90 versus 90-100 days), the reddish-purple (versus reddish-copper) skin, the smaller average tuber size, and the shorter storage (4-6 versus 6-12 months). Distinguished from Japanese/white sweet potatoes by the deep orange (versus white) flesh. Georgia Jet—fastest sweet potato 80-90 days, reddish-purple skin, northern garden standard, UGA.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Trumpet-shaped lavender flowers resembling morning glory. Rarely flowers in northern latitudes. Flowers do not affect tuber production.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lavender; trumpet-shaped; rarely flowers in north

Foliage Description

Medium green; heart-shaped; on trailing vines

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.8 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

80-90 days from slips

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant slips after all frost danger when soil is warm—60-65°F (16-18°C). Full sun. Sandy, loose, well-drained soil (pH 5.8-6.5). Moderate fertility. Consistent moisture early, then reduce. Days to maturity 80-90 from slips—fastest sweet potato. Black plastic mulch warms soil in northern gardens. Harvest before first frost. Cure at 80-85°F (27-29°C) and high humidity for 7-10 days. Stores 4-6 months.