Blackie Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’)

Blackie Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’) is a vigorous trailing ornamental plant prized for its dramatic deep purple-black foliage and fast-growing cascading habit. This striking foliage plant adds bold contrast and texture to mixed patio containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and landscape plantings throughout the summer season.

The deeply lobed leaves create a tropical appearance and pair beautifully with bright flowering annuals such as petunias, calibrachoa, coleus, and lantana. Its vigorous trailing growth quickly fills containers and spills gracefully over edges, making it one of the most popular accent plants for dramatic summer combinations. Even without flowers, Blackie provides strong ornamental value purely through its rich foliage colour and texture.

In Alberta, Blackie Sweet Potato Vine performs best in full sun to partial shade with fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering. Full sun intensifies the dark foliage colouring, while consistent moisture supports lush vigorous growth throughout the growing season. As a heat-loving annual, it thrives during warm Prairie summers and continues performing until frost.