Sweet Potato, Purple Majesty

Royal color. Distinctive flavor. A sweet potato unlike any other.

Bring something truly spectacular to your garden with Purple Majesty Sweet Potato. From the moment you dig the roots, you'll understand the name—both the skin and flesh are an intense, deep purple that creates an unforgettable presentation on the plate.

But Purple Majesty is more than just good looks. The flesh is moderately sweet, pleasantly earthy and relatively dry, giving it a firmer texture than many traditional orange sweet potatoes. That makes it especially versatile in the kitchen. Roast it until caramelized, bake it whole, turn it into vivid purple fries, or mash it for a side dish that is sure to get attention.

The purple color comes from naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments, the same class of compounds responsible for the color of many purple and blue fruits and vegetables. Purple Majesty has been noted for retaining its attractive color after cooking.

Vigorous Plants & Uniform Roots

Purple Majesty produces vigorous, trailing vines that spread across the ground and form a dense canopy. Plants typically reach around 12–18 inches tall but can spread several feet, so give them room to run.

Below the foliage, Purple Majesty develops smooth, uniform, elliptical to slightly blocky storage roots. NC State reports a high percentage of No. 1 grade roots and good performance in sandy soils.

A Great Choice for Shorter Growing Seasons

Purple Majesty reaches harvest in approximately 95–100 days from planting slips, making it an especially interesting choice for gardeners in areas where the growing season is shorter. Johnny's Selected Seeds lists the variety at 100 days, while Renee's Garden lists approximately 95–100 days.

For the best results, plant slips after the soil has warmed and provide full sun, loose soil and good drainage. Purple Majesty performs particularly well in sandy soils and does not tolerate wet or waterlogged conditions well.

Purple Majesty at a Glance

Days to Maturity: 95–100 days Skin: Deep purple Flesh: Deep purple Flavor: Moderately sweet, earthy Texture: Moderately dry and firm Root Shape: Uniform, elliptical to blocky Growth Habit: Vigorous, trailing vines Height: Approximately 12–18 inches Spread: Approximately 4–6 feet Sun: Full sun Soil: Loose, well-drained soil; sandy soil preferred Harvest: Late summer to fall

Uses: Roasting, baking, fries, mashing and fresh eating Special Feature: Deep purple color remains attractive after cooking Disease Resistance: Resistant to Fusarium wilt

Purple Majesty is a 2021 release from the North Carolina State University Sweet Potato Breeding Program.