Sweet potatoes aren't grown from seed potatoes like regular potatoes are. They are grown from what are called "slips" the stems and leaves that grow from the eyes of a sweet potato. Those slips are what get planted.

There are several discussions here on how to use store bought sweets to grow your own slips for planting. You do it just as we did as kids when we learned in school to grow a sweet potato plant - half way bury the potato in damp potting soil or suspend half way it in water to grow the slips, then root the slips and plant them.

Dave

Try Steele Sweet Potato Plant Company for a wide choice of slips.

I was just searching this subject on the internet, how funny, I should always check here first. Dave is right from what the internet produced. I was surprised at how old and wide ranging the cultivation is and has been. several thousand years and all over the world! Amazing and stupid easy to grow like potatoes. Don't overwater, loose well draining soil and keep em covered with dirt! I dont have a container large enough for them this year so I am doing little red and purple potatoes! In my area I will start them outside and then move indoors when it gets too hot!

Thanks for the advice. I was able to order Georgia Jets and Nancy Hall varieties from Steele Sweet Potato but I also purchased some Garland sweet potatoes at our local organic stand and will try to grow my own slips.