How to prune okinawan sweet potato

Pinch runners mid-summer; cut back hard in late winter if overwintering in a warm climate. Trim runners by up to one-third, cutting just above a leaf node. For overwintering plants, cut all stems to 6–8 inches above soil level in late winter before new growth begins.

Once or twice per season during growth; annually if overwintering. Okinawan sweet potato is a vigorous tropical vine. Pinch back long runners in mid-summer to keep the plant contained and direct energy toward tuber development. Remove dead or yellowed leaves throughout the season. The vine naturally dies back before harvest in autumn. In warm climates where it overwinters, cut stems back hard in late winter.

Trim runners by up to one-third, cutting just above a leaf node. For overwintering plants, cut all stems to 6–8 inches above soil level in late winter before new growth begins.