Well, I don't know why you couldn't -- as a kid, I used to grow sweet potatoes in jars of water, both at school and at home -- I think everyone used to do this -- toothpicks, an old mayonaise jar, and a sweet potato. I remember I had one that grew for several years, and the vines got to be probably 15 or 20 feet long, wrapped around the window frame on fishing line. We just used to change the water about once a month, and put a little pinch of Miracle Grow in the jar every once in a while. You can also root just the slips or shoots, minus the sweet potato root, in jars or water as well.

I'm sure you could grow them quite easily indoors in a pot, provided they have lots of light, either natural or artificial. From experience, I will warn you that both spider mites and whiteflies like sweet potato foliage, so be aware.

Another easy way to do it, though, is to just save part of your crop to replant next year. I actually saved some smallish sweet potatos for almost TWO full years in my basement, from October 2005 until late May of this year -- they lasted beautifully, and were all "sprouty" when I planted them this year. I got a fantastic crop of large sweet potatos, but speared or broke quite a few while digging.

I once knew I wouldn't be able to grow a garden in the coming summer. So I kept my sweet potato varieties going in pots, roughly for two years. It worked. I don't see why you couldn't do the same thing, rooting the slips and growing them in pots. It takes up space, which I normally wouldn't want to use in this way. But that's up to the individual. If, as denninmi did, you enjoy growing them indoors, then have at it.

Nevertheless, I'd recommend that you set aside a root or two for sprouting in the spring, if you normally start your own slips. My potted plants did not yield as many slips as I would have liked.

George
Tahlequah, OK

Thanks for the info and advice, denninmi and George. I think I will pot most of the slips I have and try a few in water. Will report in the spring as to survival and further propagation.
Elaine