When we first started looking into growing purple potatoes, one of the first things that came up were the Stokes purple sweet potatoes, Ipomoea batatas, also called, Stokes purple.
So we bought some and stuck them in soil and now they’re sprouting beautifully!
Created by a Farmer to Help Revive the Struggling Tobacco Farmers
Stokes is a county in North Carolina, near where we live. So it made sense that Google would serve up that search result for us first, and we were delighted to discover this treasure of a find, not only growing so close to us, but locally cultivated.
Created by a North Carolina native farmer, Mike Sizemore, the Stokes purple sweet potato is more than a delicious potato to grow, it’s also transforming and restoring farming in NC!
Many former tobacco farmers have now replaced their tobacco crops in decreased demand, with these exotic purple sweet potatoes with growing demand. It’s an easier crop to grow, brings in higher prices per pound due to its exotic classification in the market, and uses the same equipment used for tobacco farming.
Article Table of Contents
- The Origin of the Stokes Purple
- Difference Between Stokes Purple vs. Other Purple Sweet Potatoes
- How Do Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes Taste?
- 7 Reasons to Grow Purple Sweet Potatoes
- About Mike Sizemore and Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Growing Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Steps for How to Grow Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Are Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes Easy to Grow?
- When to Plant Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes by USDA Hardiness Zone
- How to Grow Purple Sweet Potatoes from Slips
- How Long From Planting to Harvest for Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes?
- Are Stokes Purple Potatoes Pest and Disease Resistant?
The Origin of the Stokes Purple
The lineage of the ‘Stokes purple’ plant is unknown. Mike Sizemore received a gift of a purple-skinned, purple-fleshed sweet potato. From this single root, slips were produced, and these slips were used to produce plants.
After approximately three growing seasons, the inventors discovered the unique characteristics of the ‘Stokes purple’ during outdoor cultivation in Stokes County, North Carolina, USDA Zone 7A.[1]https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP17976P2/en
What’s the Difference in the Stokes Purple Sweet Potato Vs. Other Purple Sweet Potatoes?
Unique Characteristics of the Stokes Purple
- large storage roots
- has deep purple skin
- and deep purple flesh
- it is the only purple-fleshed, purple-skinned sweet potato able to grow in the Southeastern US. (others that grow in this region are white-skinned, purple-fleshed storage roots.
- the purple Stokes maintain its purple color after cooking
You can learn more about Mike and the purple sweet potatoes in the video at the end of this short article. Here’s a table of contents to help you find what you most want to know more quickly.
We link the Stokes purple sweet potato patent held by Mike Sizemore, in the footnotes here. It provides the origin details on this Stokes County, NC purple sweet potato variety.[2]https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP17976P2/en
What is Stokes Purple Sweet Potato?
The Okinawan and Hawaiian sweet potatoes are similar to the Stokes purple, however the latter has been developed from sweet potatoes of unknown origin that were gifted to Mike Sizemore years ago. Over time, Mike farmed the potatoes and also worked to refine them in collaboration with the NC state extension service. There goal was to develop a more disease resistant variety.
How Do Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes Taste?
Purple sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor and a creamy texture that makes it a popular ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.
Some popular ways to prepare Stokes purple sweet potato include roasting, baking, boiling, and mashing. It can be used as a substitute for regular sweet potato in recipes, and is often used in dishes like pies, cakes, pancakes, and fries.
When cooked, purple sweet potatoes have a slightly denser texture than other varieties, making them a popular choice for baked dishes and casseroles.
The flesh of purple sweet potatoes is a vibrant purple color, which can add a unique visual element to dishes. Overall, purple sweet potatoes are a delicious and nutritious addition to a wide variety of recipes.
7 Reasons to Grow Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Potatoes are relatively easy to grow, and provide substantial, filling food.
- Potatoes are a great crop for raised garden beds.
- Purple sweet potatoes are highly nutritious and contain 13 different anthocyanins (antioxidants).[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6864833/
- The nutritional profile makes purple sweet potatoes exceptionally beneficial for health and wellness.
- Purple sweet potatoes are delicious and unique.
- Purple sweet potatoes are attractive on the plate and in dishes, and make pretty purple pies!
- Sweet potato leaves are also edible and nutritious, thereby doubling the food and nutritional value!
We’re already growing Purple Majesty Potatoes, and come June, will be planting Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes in our new metal raised garden beds.
About Mike Sizemore and Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes
Growing Purple Sweet Potatoes
To grow purple sweet potatoes, you can start by planting slips, which are small sprouts that develop on the sweet potato. Slips can be purchased from a nursery or can be grown at home by sprouting a sweet potato in water or damp soil. Once the slips are several inches tall, they can be transplanted into the garden.
Steps for How to Grow Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Choose a planting location: Stokes purple sweet potatoes prefer warm, humid climates