The Plont plant library
Compare Amorphophallus paeoniifolius with Ipomoea batatas. Both appear in the vegetable category of Plont’s catalog. Use their recorded differences to prepare questions for your nursery.
Swipe across the table to compare both plants.
| Catalog field | Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) | Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Amorphophallus paeoniifolius | Ipomoea batatas |
| Hindi name (draft) | सूरन | शकरकंद |
| Other catalog names | suran, jimikand, elephant foot yam | shakarkandi, sweet potato |
| Light starting point | Partial sun (3–5 hours) | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Approximate growing range | 18–38°C | 15–36°C |
| Catalog care estimate | Moderate | Easy |
Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) is listed for partial sun (3–5 hours), while Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi) is listed for full sun (6+ hours). Record how many hours of direct sun your intended spot receives and confirm the match locally.
Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) has a recorded range of 18–38°C; Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi) is listed at 15–36°C. The recorded ranges overlap from 18 to 36°C. That overlap compares the draft entries; it is not proof that either plant will suit the spot.
Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) is marked moderate, compared with easy for Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi). Treat that as a planning estimate, then ask which care tasks each plant needs in your conditions.
A comparison cannot set a watering date. Check moisture first: pot size, growing mix and current weather change how quickly a container dries. Record what you notice and decide when to check again.
Read the RHS guide to watering containers for general container advice, or use Plont’s plant observation checklist. The RHS source supports this general advice; it does not verify the species-specific draft values above.
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