Projects

Native to Asia, tropical Africa, and northern Australia, the air potato was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s. 

Air potato is considered one of the most aggressive weeds in Florida. It can grow up to 8 inches per day and can reach over 70 feet tall. Air potato vines can climb trees and form dense mats that shade out native plants. 

Air potato reproduces by producing bulbils, or aerial tubers, which can sprout into new plants. A single plant can produce hundreds of bulbils in a growing season. 

To control air potato, you can apply herbicides containing glyphosate. You can also manually remove bulbils in the winter. If the vines are too tall to reach with an herbicide sprayer, you can try pulling them down. 

In Florida, it’s illegal to introduce, possess, propagate, or move air potatoes without a permit.