Description
Vardaman is the sweet potato that does something the others can’t — it grows in a compact bush form rather than sprawling vines, making it the ideal choice for smaller gardens and tighter spaces where standard vining sweet potatoes would quickly take over. Named for Vardaman, Mississippi — a town so famous for sweet potato production it calls itself the Sweet Potato Capital of the World — it produces gold-skinned tubers with deep-orange, mild, sweet flesh that matures in approximately 95 days. The striking purple foliage adds genuine ornamental appeal to a thoroughly practical plant. Stores well, and the skin deepens and darkens beautifully after harvest. Shipping schedule included below.
Bush Form — Sweet Potatoes for Smaller Spaces
Vardaman’s bush growth habit is what sets it apart from every other sweet potato variety in the catalog. Where Beauregard, Georgia Jet, and most other varieties produce sprawling vines that spread aggressively and need significant horizontal space to perform, Vardaman grows in a compact, upright bush that stays manageable in tighter beds and smaller garden footprints. For home gardeners who want homegrown sweet potatoes but have been limited by space, Vardaman is the answer.
Named for Vardaman, Mississippi — The Sweet Potato Capital
Vardaman, Mississippi has built its entire identity around sweet potato production — it’s been a center of sweet potato growing, research, and culture for generations, and naming this variety in its honor reflects the deep connection between the plant and the place. That heritage represents some of the most serious sweet potato growing expertise in the country, and it shows in the quality and reliability of the variety itself.
Purple Foliage — Ornamental and Productive
Vardaman’s striking purple foliage makes it genuinely beautiful in the garden — not just a productive vegetable plant but an ornamental presence that adds color and texture to beds and borders. The deep-orange flesh that emerges at harvest is as vibrant inside as the foliage is outside, and the gold skin that darkens and deepens after harvest develops an attractive appearance that improves in storage.
Important Shipping Notes
Sweet potatoes ship separately from the rest of your order, beginning April 15 for the warmest regions and continuing through late May for cooler areas. Spring shipping only — last day to order is June 4. Plant after your last frost date once the soil has warmed. Harvest before frost kills the vines.
Why Growers Choose Vardaman
- Bush form — compact, non-vining habit ideal for smaller garden spaces
- Named for Vardaman, Mississippi — the Sweet Potato Capital of the World
- Striking purple foliage — ornamental appeal alongside practical productivity
- Deep-orange mild sweet flesh — 95-day maturity with excellent flavor
- Skin darkens after harvest — develops attractive color in storage
- Stores well — extends enjoyment of the harvest through winter
Estimated Sweet Potato Ship Dates
| After April 15 | CA, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL | |
| After April 22 | OK, AR, TN, NC | |
| After May 3 | WA, OR, NV, UT, CO, KS, MO, Southern IL, Southern IN, KY, Southern OH, WV, VA, DE, MD, DC | |
| After May 10 | Southern ID, Southern WY, NE, IA, Northern IL, Northern IN, Northern OH, PA, NJ | |
| After May 15 | Northern ID, Southern MT, Northern WY, SD, Southern MN, Southern WI, Southern MI, Southern NY, RI, MA, CT | |
| After May 20 | Northern MT, ND, Northern MN, Northern WI, Northern MI, Northern NY, NH, VT, ME |
Characteristics
| Characteristic Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Purple |
| Fruit Color | Orange |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 9 |
| Pollination | Not Required |
| Ripens/Harvest | Harvest Before Frost Kills Vines |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Characteristic Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained - Average Moistness |
| Soil pH Level | 5.5 - 6.5 |
| Taste | Mild, Sweet |
| Texture | Firm |
| Years to Bear | 1 |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
Pollination is not required for this variety.
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow sweet potato plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
