BlackSweet Potato Vine

Blackie is an ornamental sweet potato vine with deeply divided, deep purple-black foliage. [Denver Botanic Gardens](https://navigate.botanicgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAMENUM=20883&startpage=1) identifies it as a trailing vine with purple-lavender flowers and lists sun or partial shade, moist well-drained soil, and USDA zone 9 as its coldest hardy zone. ## Growing Conditions Grow it in full sun or partial shade and provide moist, well-drained soil. [NC State’s species guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ipomoea-batatas/) recommends loamy soil rich in organic matter and notes that sweet potato vines are frost-sensitive, spreading by runners when used as ground cover. It also lists ‘Blackie’ for deep purple-black, divided foliage. ## Maintenance Allow room for trailing stems, or train the vine if it grows vertically. In climates with frost, grow it as a warm-season annual and trim stems when they extend beyond the intended space.