You can also ask if any of your friends or neighbors have a sweet potato they can spare from their garden.

If you can find a perfectly snug jar or glass, you don’t have to use toothpicks. Just wedge the potato inside, making sure that the bottom half stays submerged while the top half sticks out of the jar. [3] X Research source

Replace the jar with fresh water every 2 to 3 days. [5] X Research source If you are growing slips during the colder months, or if the temperature drops, you can use a grow light or heat mat to keep your slips warm. [6] X Research source

Growing slips from a sweet potato can be tricky, so don’t be discouraged if you only have a few, straggly slips sprouting, or none at all. If your slips aren’t growing tall and lush, the best thing to do is grab another potato – or a couple – and start the process again. [9] X Research source If you have the opposite problem and have too many slips on your hands, they make great gifts for your friends and family!

You can also choose to grow your vine in the jar of water. All you have to do is change the water every couple of days to prevent it from becoming cloudy. When your sweet potato plant’s roots begin to fill up the bottom of its container, simply put it into a larger jar. [13] X Research source

Place a grow light 1 foot (30 cm) over your sweet potato plant if you do not have a warm, sunny area in your home. [15] X Research source

Regularly check your plant to see if it is getting crowded in its pot.