When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Indiana
Not related to regular potatoes at all. Sweet potatoes need heat and a long growing season but reward with incredible harvests.
The Short Answer
Indiana Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Indiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Indiana | 5b, 6a | Apr 25 - May 10 | Oct 1 - Oct 15 |
| Central Indiana | 6a, 6b | Apr 15 - May 1 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |
| Southern Indiana | 6b | Apr 10 - Apr 25 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 |
Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Indiana
Northern Indiana (Zones 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: Apr 25 - May 10 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15
Central Indiana (Zones 6a, 6b)
Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 1 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Indiana (Zones 6b)
Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1
Growing Sweet Potatoes in Indiana
Sweet Potatoes in Indiana's Climate
Sweet potatoes are achievable in your climate with effort. Plant slips in late May to early June when soil reaches 65°F. Black plastic mulch is essential for warming soil. Choose 90-day varieties only. Harvest before first frost — this is critical because even light frost damages tubers. Your window is tight but workable.
Soil Considerations for Indiana
Clay-heavy soils common statewide. Rich but can have drainage issues. Raised beds help with heavy clay. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for sweet potatoes since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.
Indiana Climate & Growing Season
Four seasons. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall for most crops. Occasional late spring frosts catch gardeners off guard. Sweet Potatoes cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.
Growing season length varies across Indiana: Northern Indiana (5b, 6a) has a last frost around Apr 25 - May 10, while Southern Indiana (6b) sees frost end around Apr 10 - Apr 25. This difference matters for sweet potatoes — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.
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:
Keep sweet potatoes away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026