Yam Vines

Save the tops from your Thanksgiving yams, and watch them grow into vines.

Watch a yam grow after your Thanksgiving feast.

What You'll Need:

• Yam (or sweet potato)
• Knife
• Vegetable brush
• Toothpicks
• Jar
• Water
  

This is such a pretty Thanksgiving plant, and so easy to grow. The top of a long, skinny yam will work best for this. Cut off the bottom third of the yam (have an adult help you). Scrub the top well with warm water and a brush.

Stick four toothpicks into the center of the yam top so that it will sit in a jar full of water with half of it poking out the top. The cut part should be fully in the water.

Place the jar in bright light, but not direct sun. Check your yam every day to make sure that the water always covers the cut part. Turn your yam so that all sides get even light.

After about a week, you will see stringy white roots growing out of the cut part. Soon, purplish leaves will sprout from the top. If your water gets cloudy, pour it out and refill the jar. The yam vine will grow fast, and soon the leaves will be bright green.

Transfer the plant to larger and larger jars as the vine grows and grows and grows.

Next, learn to make a craft that your whole family will be thankful for.

For more kids' crafts and fun activities, see:

• Kids Crafts
• Holiday Crafts
• Kids Activities
• Thanksgiving Activities
• Turkey Crafts