Plant guide
Sweet potato vine
Ipomoea batatas
Sweet potato vine is non-toxic to cats. This applies to Ipomoea batatas, including ornamental foliage forms, rather than ordinary potato plants or other morning glories.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Ipomoea batatas only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Photo:
Photo details
Ipomoea batatas — Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita'
By Drew Avery
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Ipomoea batatas — Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita'
By Drew Avery
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Ipomoea batatas and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ipomoea batatas
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Ipomoea batatas only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Full sun to partial shade.
- Watering
Use moist, freely draining soil; established plants tolerate some dry conditions.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Frost-sensitive; plant outside after frost danger has passed.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Loamy soil with organic matter and good drainage.
- Through the year
- Train trailing growth or allow room for runners. Ornamental forms are selected for foliage rather than good edible roots.
Growing-guide sources
- Ipomoea batatas ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Ipomoea batatas only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.