Botanical Name: Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’

Common Name: Sweet Potato Vine

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

Size: 10–16" Tall × 24–36" Spread

Growth Habit: Trailing, Spreading Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Well-Drained Soil

Water Needs: Moderate

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage

Fertilizer: Light, Occasional Feeding

Features: Bright Chartreuse Foliage, Strong Color Contrast, Reliable Growth

Uses: Containers, Window Boxes, Hanging Baskets, Landscape Beds

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Easy from Cuttings

See our complete Ipomoea Plant Guide for full care details

More About ‘Marguerite’

If you have ever planted a chartreuse Sweet Potato Vine in the last twenty years, chances are it was ‘Marguerite.’ It is the classic. The original bright lime that designers, growers, and home gardeners have leaned on season after season. There is something about that clean, consistent lime-green foliage that feels fresh no matter how trends change. It does not scream for attention the way some newer introductions do, but it absolutely transforms a planting the moment you tuck it in.

The leaves are smooth, heart-shaped, and luminous, catching light in a way that almost makes them glow in the late afternoon. I have used it countless times in mixed containers here at the garden center, especially when a combination felt heavy or flat. Add ‘Marguerite,’ and suddenly everything lifts. Deep purples look richer. Reds look cleaner. Pastels feel brighter. As a selection of Ipomoea batatas, it carries that dependable trailing habit we expect, but it grows quickly without becoming wild or difficult to manage.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

This one has been a staple in our trials and display gardens for years because it is so predictable. When we are designing combinations for customers who want reliability over risk, ‘Marguerite’ is often the first foliage plant we reach for. It pairs effortlessly with almost any color palette, from soft whites and blush tones to bold tropical oranges and magentas. I cannot count how many times we have used it to unify a mixed planting that needed a common thread.

What stands out most in our experience is its consistency across conditions. Whether planted in amended red clay beds or in premium potting soil in large containers, it establishes quickly and keeps moving. It tolerates our humid Summers, rebounds well after trimming, and rarely surprises you with odd growth or color shifts. When someone tells me they want dependable brightness without drama or maintenance headaches, I point them toward ‘Marguerite.’ It may not be flashy or new, but it delivers steady, beautiful performance every single season.

Marguerite vs. Other Sweet Potato Vines

Ipomoea ‘Marguerite’ is the most balanced and versatile option among our selections, offering bright chartreuse foliage without excessive vigor. While Compact Margie pushes color intensity and growth speed further, Marguerite remains more controlled, making it easier to manage in mixed containers. Compared to Blackie its role is supportive rather than dominant, lifting surrounding colors instead of grounding them. 

Its foliage is smoother and more uniform than Tricolor, lacking variegation but delivering consistent, dependable color from planting to frost. Marguerite also tolerates partial shade better than Compact Margie, retaining good color where full sun isn’t available. For gardeners who want reliable brightness with fewer pruning demands, Marguerite is the most forgiving choice.