Botanical Name: Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’

Common Name: Sweet Potato Vine

Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in All Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 9–11)

Size: 12–18" Tall × 24–48" Spread

Growth Habit: Vigorous, Trailing, Spreading Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adaptable to Poor Soils

Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Occasional Insignificant Flowers)

Fertilizer: Light Feeding; Excess Fertilizer Encourages Overgrowth

Features: Nearly Black Purple Foliage, Strong Heat Tolerance, Fast Coverage

Uses: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Landscape Beds, Groundcover, High-Contrast Designs

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Easy from Cuttings

See our complete Ipomoea Plant Guide for full care details

More About Sweet Potato Vine ‘Blackie’

There are Sweet Potato Vines that quietly fill space, and then there are ones that command attention the moment you see them. ‘Blackie’ falls firmly in that second category. Its deep, near-black purple foliage is so saturated that, in the right light, it almost looks lacquered. The leaves are large, deeply lobed, and expressive, giving you both texture and depth. From a distance, the color reads as a strong, solid mass. Up close, you see the sculptural quality of the foliage. In mixed planters, I often use it the same way a designer might use black in a wardrobe. It grounds everything. Bright pinks pop harder. Whites glow. Chartreuse almost vibrates against it. It is one of those foliage plants that elevates everything around it without needing flowers of its own.

When it comes to growth, ‘Blackie’ does not hesitate. It is one of the most vigorous selections of Ipomoea batatas that we grow. Once the heat settles in and the soil warms, it takes off with confidence. In the middle of Summer, I have measured it stretching well over a foot in a single week, sometimes more. We have trained it up small trellises, allowed it to spill over retaining walls, and even used it to soften the hard edges of raised beds. It thrives in heat and full sun, and unlike many dark-leaf plants, it does not bleach out or dull when August arrives. The color stays rich, moody, and intense right through the peak of the season.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

 I remember the first time we planted it in a large container near the entrance of the garden center here in Upstate South Carolina. Customers would walk past rows of colorful blooms, but their eyes always landed on that dark foliage first. It creates contrast in a way that feels intentional and architectural, especially in modern containers or bold landscape combinations. We have also planted it in large patio containers, hanging baskets, and directly in the ground in some of our heavier red clay soils amended with compost. No matter the setting, it establishes quickly and begins covering space with authority. 

It also holds its color exceptionally well in full sun, which is not something I can say about every dark foliage plant. We have tested it beside lighter purple varieties and even some burgundy coleus, and ‘Blackie’ maintained the deepest tone consistently. I especially love pairing it with bright chartreuse foliage or hot pink and orange annuals for maximum contrast. The combination feels bold but balanced. It has become one of those dependable staples for us, the kind of plant I reach for when I want guaranteed drama, fast coverage, and a container that looks full and intentional all season long.

Blackie vs. Other Sweet Potato Vines

Compared to Marguerite and Compact Margie, which are grown for brightness, Blackie plays the opposite role; anchoring containers and beds with dark, grounding color. Its leaf shape is also more dramatic, with elongated, deeply lobed foliage that reads bolder and more architectural than the softer, heart-shaped leaves of the chartreuse types. 

When set beside Ipomoea 'Tricolor', Blackie is far more vigorous and assertive, trading refinement and detail for power and presence. Growth is fast and expansive, making it better suited for large containers or landscape use rather than tight combinations. If your goal is maximum contrast, depth, and visual weight, ‘Blackie’ clearly leads the pack.