Root Vegetable

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Florida

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

The Short Answer

Florida grows sweet potatoes as a warm-season crop — planted after frost danger passes and harvested before fall. The state's sandy soils and long, hot growing season provide ideal conditions, and sweet potatoes are one of the few crops that actually improve with Florida's summer heat.

Florida Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Florida 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 15 - Mar 10 Nov 15 - Dec 10
Central Florida 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
South Florida 10a, 10b, 11a Rare Rare

Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Florida

North Florida (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

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

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

Central Florida (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

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

South Florida (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

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

Growing Sweet Potatoes in Florida

State-Specific Growing Tips

Plant slips from March (south Florida) through April (north Florida). Florida's sandy soils are naturally well-suited — loose, warm, well-drained. Sweet potatoes are relatively drought-tolerant, which is an advantage during Florida's sporadic summer drought periods. Harvest 90-120 days after planting. Cure at 80-85°F for 10 days. UF/IFAS provides a Florida-specific sweet potato guide.

Recommended Varieties for Florida

Beauregard and Covington for standard orange-flesh types. Hernandez for south Florida. UF/IFAS recommends varieties tested in Florida conditions.

Common Challenges in Florida

Sweet potato weevil is the #1 pest in Florida — it damages tubers in the soil. Wireworms. Nematodes in sandy soils — rotate locations. Whiteflies on foliage. Despite the pest pressure, sweet potatoes are one of the most productive warm-season crops in Florida.

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 Florida with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Florida gardeners work with a last frost around Feb 15 - Mar 10, while South Florida sees frost end around Rare. 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 Florida Planting Calendar All plants for Florida 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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