Yes can be "preserved" & if so will produce new plants in the spring.. keep dry, dark & cool

Sweet potatoes do very well from slips. I root them with children because they will have visible roots in 2 or 3 days. They root very well in water or in soil. I like to root them in clear cups of soil and the roots become visible on the edges of the container in about a weeks time, Use leaf stem cutting. A single leaf and node will do the job.