Bright Ideas Rusty Red Sweet Potato Vine

Bright Ideas Rusty Red is the trade name used for this ornamental sweet potato vine in the Bright Ideas series; the RHS listing gives *Ipomoea batatas* ‘Floipobirr’ as a synonym. NC State describes the Bright Ideas group as heart-shaped foliage in assorted colors and identifies sweet potato as a vigorous annual groundcover or vine. [RHS selection page](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/370929/ipomoea-batatas-bright-ideas-rusty-red-floipobirr-bright-ideas-series/details) · [NC State Extension plant profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ipomoea-batatas/) ## Position and use Place in full sun or partial shade in loamy, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. NC State gives a general species size of about 12 inches tall and 3–5 feet wide and notes that ornamental cultivars are often grown in mixed containers. Those figures describe the species, not a measured size for ‘Floipobirr’; allow space for its vine habit and use selection-specific size guidance when spacing plants. ## Planting and propagation Set plants out after frost danger has passed; sweetpotato is frost-sensitive and is generally treated as an annual in colder climates. Root cuttings can be used for propagation, and tuber cuttings are planted after the last frost. NC State cautions that cultivars bred for ornamental foliage rarely produce good edible roots, so grow this selection for its foliage rather than relying on it as a food crop. ## Maintenance Use a well-drained container mix or improve drainage in heavier soil. Monitor moisture during establishment and warm weather, especially in pots, and redirect or trim runners if they extend beyond the allotted space.