Root Vegetable

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in California

Not related to regular potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes need heat and a long growing season but reward with incredible harvests.

The Short Answer

California grows sweet potatoes commercially in the Central Valley, and home gardeners in warm inland areas can produce abundant harvests. The long, hot growing season in much of the state is perfect for this tropical-origin crop.

California Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of California you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern California Mountains 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b May 1 - May 25 Sep 20 - Oct 15
Central Valley 9a, 9b Feb 10 - Mar 1 Nov 15 - Dec 5
Southern California Coast 10a, 10b, 11a Jan 1 - Feb 1 Dec 10 - Jan 1
Bay Area 9b, 10a Jan 20 - Feb 15 Nov 25 - Dec 15

Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for California

Northern California Mountains (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 25 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Central Valley (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 10 - Mar 1 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Southern California Coast (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Jan 1 - Feb 1 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 1

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Bay Area (Zones 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 20 - Feb 15 · Average first frost: Nov 25 - Dec 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Growing Sweet Potatoes in California

State-Specific Growing Tips

Central Valley: plant slips from late March through April. Southern California inland: plant from March. Bay Area and coast: marginal — fog-cooled summers may not provide enough sustained heat. Mountain: not recommended. California's dry climate reduces disease pressure on sweet potatoes. Sandy and loamy soils grow them well. Drip irrigation is efficient.

Recommended Varieties for California

Beauregard, Covington, and Jewel. Purple varieties for novelty. Garnet and Hernandez for California conditions. California seed sources offer more variety than most states.

Common Challenges in California

Sweet potato weevil in some areas. Whiteflies. Gophers damage tubers underground. In coastal areas, insufficient heat is the limiting factor.

Growing Tips

Grow from slips, not seeds. Start slips from a sweet potato in water 8 weeks before transplanting. Cure harvested tubers in warmth for 10 days.

Companion Planting

Plant sweet potatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Corn

Keep sweet potatoes away from:

Squash

The Bottom Line

Sweet Potatoes can be grown successfully in California with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Northern California Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around May 1 - May 25, while Bay Area sees frost end around Jan 20 - Feb 15. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Sweet Potatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states California Planting Calendar All plants for California Sweet Potatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates Sweet Potatoes in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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