Root Vegetable

When to Plant Sweet Potatoes in Texas

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

The Short Answer

Texas is sweet potato paradise — the crop's love of heat, sandy soils, and long growing seasons makes it one of the easiest and most productive crops a Texas gardener can grow. East Texas's sandy loam soils are particularly ideal, and the state's 150-250+ day growing seasons give sweet potatoes all the time they need.

Texas Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Texas (Dallas) 7b, 8a Mar 10 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 20
Central Texas (Austin/SA) 8a, 8b Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 15 - Dec 5
South Texas (Valley) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
Texas Panhandle 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
East Texas 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 20 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Sweet Potatoes Planting Schedule for Texas

North Texas (Dallas) (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 10 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 20

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

Central Texas (Austin/SA) (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

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

South Texas (Valley) (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

Texas Panhandle (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

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

East Texas (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 20 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

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

Growing Sweet Potatoes in Texas

State-Specific Growing Tips

Plant slips 2-3 weeks after last frost — as early as mid-March in south Texas, early April in north Texas. Texas heat accelerates growth. Sandy east Texas soils are naturally ideal. In the Blackland Prairie clay, build raised mounds. Sweet potatoes are drought-tolerant once established — they handle Texas dry spells better than most vegetables. Harvest before first frost. Cure at 80-85°F for 10 days.

Recommended Varieties for Texas

Beauregard (90 days, copper skin, orange flesh — the standard). Covington (90 days). Jewel (100 days). Purple varieties: Stokes Purple. Texas A&M recommends Beauregard as the most reliable variety statewide.

Common Challenges in Texas

Sweet potato weevil in east and south Texas — the primary pest. Wireworms in some soils. Voles. Deer browse vines. Heat is rarely a problem — sweet potatoes love it.

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 Texas with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Texas (Dallas) gardeners work with a last frost around Mar 10 - Mar 25, while East Texas sees frost end around Mar 1 - Mar 20. 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 Texas Planting Calendar All plants for Texas 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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