White sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a fast-growing, highly productive variation of sweet potato, known for their vigor and resilience. Among the varieties I’ve grown here in Florida, white sweet potatoes stand out as one of the most pest-resistant, making them a reliable choice for gardeners in warm, humid climates. Like many other sweet potatoes, they offer more than just delicious roots — their tender leaves are also edible and can be enjoyed raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries, soups, and stews. The creamy white flesh of the tubers has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and can be prepared much like other sweet potatoes — roasted, mashed, baked, or fried.
