Growing Your Own Beni Imo Sweet Potatoes From Seed

Beni imo also known as the Okinawan or Hawaiian sweet potato is a delicious and nutrient-dense purple-fleshed sweet potato variety. While most sweet potatoes are started from slips or cuttings, it is possible to grow beni imo sweet potatoes from seeds as well. Growing from seed allows you to produce many more plants and gives you greater control over the genetics of your crop. Here is everything you need to know about growing beni imo sweet potatoes from seed.

Where to Source Beni Imo Seeds

Beni imo seeds can sometimes be difficult to find since most sweet potato propagation is done vegetatively. However, there are a few specialty seed sellers that offer beni imo seeds for purchase. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is one of the most well known sources for rare and heirloom seeds, including beni imo. On Amazon, sellers such as Tomato Growers Supply Company, Hawaii Tomato Seeds, and Seed Needs also offer beni imo sweet potato seeds. The seed packets usually contain anywhere from 20 to 100 seeds depending on the seller. Expect to pay $3 to $5 per packet.

When sourcing your seeds, be sure to look for varieties labeled as Okinawan, Hawaiian, or Japanese purple sweet potato. The origins of the cultivar are important since true beni imo sweet potatoes trace their roots back to the islands of Okinawa and Hawaii. Local nurseries or fellow gardeners may also have beni imo seeds available.

How to Grow Beni Imo Sweet Potatoes from Seeds

Growing beni imo sweet potatoes from seeds follows a similar process as growing them from slips, but with a few extra steps at the beginning.

Start Seeds Indoors

Beni imo seeds can be started indoors or in a greenhouse 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. Plant the seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in seed starting mix. Keep the soil moist and provide bottom heat of 70-80°F if possible. Seedlings should emerge in 10-14 days.

Transplant Seedlings

Once the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, transplant them into individual 3-4 inch pots. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with compost or worm castings. Grow the transplants for 4-6 weeks, keeping them in warm sunny conditions and fertilizing weekly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Harden off the plants for 7-10 days before transplanting them outside.

Prepare the Garden Bed

In the garden bed, build up mounded rows or raised beds for planting. Amend the soil with compost to improve drainage and nutrition. Beni imo prefers loose, fertile, sandy soil. Dig in a complete organic fertilizer prior to planting.

Transplant into the Garden

Transplant the beni imo seedlings 18-24 inches apart in the prepared rows/beds after all danger of frost has passed. Water the transplants well and provide mulch to retain moisture.

Hill and Fertilize

Once established, hill soil, mulch, or compost around the base of the plants every 2-3 weeks. This encourages more root growth. Side dress with a potassium-rich fertilizer monthly during the growing season.

Harvest and Cure

Expect to harvest beni imo sweet potatoes about 4 months after transplanting. Carefully dig up the potatoes wearing gloves to avoid skin irritation. Cure for 7-10 days in a warm, humid location before storage or consumption.

When grown from seeds, beni imo sweet potatoes may exhibit more variability in size, shape, and color compared to those propagated vegetatively. However, planting from seeds allows you to gradually select for traits you desire over generations. Plus, it enables you to easily produce exponentially more slips for the following growing season. With a little patience and care, you can grow a beautiful harvest of colorful, nutritious beni imo sweet potatoes from seeds.

Key Benefits and Uses of Beni Imo Sweet Potatoes

Beyond imparting a stunning pop of color, beni imo sweet potatoes deliver some great nutritional and health benefits that make them worth growing in your garden.

Highly Nutritious

Beni imo sweet potatoes are packed with important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Their vibrant purple flesh gets its color from anthocyanins. These antioxidants help fight inflammation, protect cells from damage, and may lower risk of certain cancers. Beni imo also provides a hefty dose of vitamin A from beta-carotene, plus vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber.

Natural Sweetness

The sugars in beni imo sweet potatoes provide a sweetness that is lower on the glycemic index than refined sugar. Their rich, creamy texture when cooked makes beni imo a tasty, healthier substitute for ingredients like white potato or wheat flour.

Versatile Ingredient

In the kitchen, beni imo sweet potatoes shine in both sweet and savory dishes. Try baking them into crispy fries, simmering down into smooth purees, or blending into vivid purple desserts. Their mild, sweet taste pairs well with coconut milk, ginger, pork, chicken, rice, beans, nuts, and warm spices.

May Support Longevity

The Okinawan diet, of which beni imo is a staple, has been linked to increased longevity and health. The high intake of fresh produce, fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds in the traditional Okinawan cuisine likely contributes to lower rates of disease and mortality.

Tips for Growing Successful Beni Imo Sweet Potato Plants

Follow these tips to help your beni imo sweet potato plants thrive:

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Provide bottom heat and grow seedlings under lights or in a sunny window.

• Transplant outdoors only after the danger of frost has completely passed. Beni imo is not frost tolerant.

• Give plants plenty of room to spread. Space slips or transplants at least 16-24 inches apart in all directions.

• Use low, wide planting beds or raised mounds. This allows ample space for the tuberous roots to expand.

• Keep soils fertile and consistently moist. Mulch and fertilize plants throughout the growing season.

• Hill up soil or mulch around the base of plants every 2-3 weeks to encourage more root development.

• Cure freshly dug sweet potatoes for 7-10 days in a warm, humid location before storing long term or eating.

With suitable growing conditions and care, you can enjoy an abundant harvest of mouthwatering, antioxidant-rich beni imo sweet potatoes. Their ease of growth, striking beauty, and many uses make this one vegetable garden crop you don’t want to miss out on.