Seon Mi is a historic Korean sweet potato with striking pink skin flushed with purple overtones and remarkably firm, starchy white flesh that sets it apart from most modern sweet potato varieties. This heirloom cultivar thrives in warm climates (zones 7-11) and reaches harvest in 90-120 days, making it a practical choice for gardeners where traditional potatoes struggle in the heat. Its high yields and outstanding flavor have earned it recognition, while its potato-like texture makes it an excellent substitute in warm regions where potato cultivation is difficult.
12
Full Sun
Moderate
7-11
?in H x ?in W
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High
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Seon Mi delivers firm, starchy white flesh that behaves almost like a potato in the kitchen, making it exceptional for fries, chips, and mashing. The beautiful pink-and-purple-toned skin immediately identifies it as something special in the harvest basket. Korean gardeners have cultivated this variety for generations, and modern growers appreciate both its reliable high yields and the way its texture differs from the softer, sweeter varieties commonly found in supermarkets. Plant it 12 inches apart in full sun, and you'll have a productive crop ready in three to four months.
Seon Mi excels in applications that showcase its firm, starchy texture. It produces outstanding sweet potato fries with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The flesh holds its shape beautifully when mashed, making it ideal for side dishes and traditional preparations. Its potato-like character also makes it suitable for chips and any recipe where you want sweet potato without the soft, sugary texture of conventional varieties. The high starch content and firm flesh mean it adapts well to both traditional Korean cooking methods and contemporary preparations.
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Start Seon Mi slips (sprouted sweet potato pieces or rooted vines) indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, or purchase pre-started plants as indicated in seed catalogs. This variety is typically grown from vegetative slips rather than seeds, which arrive ready to transplant.
Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 75°F and all frost danger has passed. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant 12 inches apart in full sun, burying the slip deeply so only the top leaves emerge. Water gently after transplanting to settle soil around the roots.
Seon Mi reaches maturity in 90-120 days from transplanting. Harvest in fall before the first frost arrives, as cold temperatures damage the tubers and reduce storage quality. Dig carefully around the base of the plant to avoid bruising the tubers, then use a garden fork to loosen soil and lift the roots. Look for mature tubers that have reached a good size; they'll be firm and fully developed. After digging, allow tubers to cure in a warm (75-80°F), humid location for 7-10 days before storing, which toughens the skin and extends keeping time.
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“Seon Mi carries the legacy of Korean agricultural tradition, where it has been grown and refined over generations. This heirloom sweet potato represents the culinary heritage of Korea, where its firm, starchy character made it an essential staple. Unlike many modern sweet potato varieties developed through commercial breeding, Seon Mi has been preserved and passed down because Korean cooks and gardeners recognized its unique qualities. Its presence in seed catalogs today marks an effort to honor and maintain varieties that might otherwise disappear as industrialized agriculture favors fewer, more uniform cultivars.”