Bronze Sweet Potato Vine

Bronze is the Desana® sweet potato vine listed by Suntory as Kyuikukan 5, a compact trailing to semi-mounding selection for ornamental foliage. The cultivar patent describes cordate leaves that emerge light green and mature to dark purple. Suntory lists the Desana line for full sun to partial shade and for hanging baskets, combinations, containers, window boxes, and bedding ([2014 Suntory catalog](https://www.norseco.com/pdf/2014SuntoryCatalog.pdf); [USPP21102P2](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP21102P2/en)). ## Profile The patent describes Kyuikukan 5 as compact, freely branching, and trailing; the Desana catalog notes short internodes and a semi-mounding presentation. Its foliage is the main design feature, with color shifting from green during development to dark purple at maturity. Bronze is the retail selection associated with this formal cultivar name, and remains distinct from other bronze sweet potato vines. ## Growing Conditions The 2014 production catalog lists full sun to partial shade and a well-drained peat/perlite mix at pH 6.0–6.5. Treat that medium as nursery production guidance rather than a universal garden-soil prescription. The Desana series is described as heat and humidity tolerant. ## Maintenance Use this trailing foliage in a basket or container where it can drape, and monitor its spread in mixed plantings. Keep the growing medium well drained.