The Sweetest Potato You will Never Eat.

Most of us know the sweet potato as that wonderful, slightly nutty vegetable that sneaks onto our plates in place of ordinary spuds. High in fibre, loaded with vitamin A, rich in antioxidants, the humble sweet potato has long since earned its reputation as a healthier choice, especially for those trying to steer clear of refined carbs.

But this is not a post about low carb dietary preferences or personal nutrition… there is another side to this root vegetable that often goes unnoticed… or rather “unknown”, one that has nothing to do with eating. A sprouting sweet potato can just as easily become a surprisingly beautiful houseplant.

All it takes is a single potato, a pretty glass container, and a splash of water and hey presto, you are officially a plant person, lol. Place the base of the sweet potato in the water so that it just touches, leaving the sprouting bits above the surface. Then pop it into a bright spot like a sunny windowsill… and wait.

The little sprouts stretch into vibrant green leaves while the white roots reach down into the water… and it grows at a seriously impressive pace. Before long you will have a lush, leafy and gorgeous trailing vine that can also be trained to climb upwards or left to cascade gracefully down a shelf.

It requires almost no effort beyond topping up the water now and then. And because the growth is so fast, kids love it too… it’s one of those rare plants where you can almost see the difference overnight. Watching a potato morph into a thriving vine is like a science experiment and a bit of kitchen witchery all rolled into one.

No, it won’t replace your peace lily or snake plant, but it does hold its own as a cheerful, living decoration, growing new leaves and roots for months and months on end.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also take cuttings from the vines and root them in water too. Within a few weeks, you’ll have more plants to share around. They make quirky, low cost gifts and a fun conversation starter. So now, the next time you discover a forgotten sweet potato sprouting in the veggie basket, don’t be too quick to toss it out. Give it a jar of water, a little sunlight, and a chance to show off. You will find yourself with the easiest indoor plant you’ve ever grown as well as one of the prettiest!