How to Cure Sweet Potatoes for Storage

Cure right after harvest

1. 1Handle gently — Dig carefully and avoid nicking the roots; curing heals only minor wounds, so start with sound roots.
2. 2Hold warm and humid — Cure about one week at 80 to 85 degrees F and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity.
3. 3Improvise if needed — Without a curing room, a warm covered porch or garage for a week partially cures roots, and works best with an early-fall harvest while it is still warm.

Store after curing

Once cured, keep sweet potatoes at 55 to 60 degrees F with roughly 85 to 90 percent humidity and good airflow. Do not refrigerate.

⚠ Cold storage below about 55 degrees F causes chilling injury; refrigerating sweet potatoes damages them. Warm conditions cause sprouting and shriveling.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• Penn State Extension — Sweetpotato Curing and Storage — Cure at warm, humid conditions to heal wounds, set skins, convert starch to sugar, and extend storage.
• Iowa State University Extension — How do I harvest and store sweet potatoes? — Cure one week at 80-85 F and 90-95% humidity, then store at 55-60 F; keeps four to six months.

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