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

More About Sweet Potato Vine ‘Blackie’

‘Blackie’ is prized for its deep, near-black purple foliage that adds dramatic contrast wherever it’s planted. Its bold color reads strongly even from a distance, making it a favorite for modern containers and high-impact landscapes. The lobed leaves are large and expressive, creating texture as well as color.

This variety is one of the most vigorous sweet potato vines available, quickly trailing and spreading to fill space. It thrives in heat and sun, maintaining rich coloration without fading during peak summer conditions.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Blackie’ has been one of the strongest performers for both containers and in-ground plantings. It holds color exceptionally well, even in full sun, and recovers quickly after pruning. We especially like it paired with chartreuse or bright-flowering annuals for maximum contrast.

Blackie vs. Other Sweet Potato Vines

Ipomoea ‘Blackie’ immediately stands apart for its deep, nearly black purple foliage, which provides the strongest contrast of any sweet potato vine in this group. 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 ‘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.