Ipomoea pandurata

Common Names

Wild Potato Vine, Man-Of-The-Earth, Morning Glory, Indian Potato, Wild Sweetpotato, Manroot, Wild Sweetpotato Vine, Bigroot Morning Glory, Wild Potato, Potato Vine

Summary

Ipomoea pandurata, commonly called Man-of-the-Earth or Wild Potato Vine, is a perennial vine native to the eastern United States that twines or trails and can reach 15–30 feet in length. It is distinguished by a very large underground tuber (manroot) and heart-shaped leaves, with white funnel-shaped flowers that have a purple throat, creating a striking visual in landscapes. It grows best in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soils and tolerates drought once established, hardy in USDA zones 5a–9b. The plant can spread aggressively and is suitable as ground cover or on supports; it can be propagated by seed (wind-dispersed with cross-pollination required for viable seed) or by root division, and the large tuber is edible when cooked. Native Americans historically used the roots for food and medicine, but seeds are poisonous to humans and raw roots are purgative, so handling should be cautious.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

180-360 inches

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade

Soil Type

Average, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White with a purple-to-lavender throat

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall (May–September)

Foliage Color

Olive green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Root cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, and birds