Potato

Plant Overview

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is listed in the Solanaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a tender perennial commonly grown as an annual crop life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0027

Family

Solanaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Tender perennial commonly grown as an annual crop

Alternate names

Irish potato; white potato

Growth habit

Bushy herbaceous plant producing underground stolons and tubers

Mature height

18-36 in

Mature spread

18-30 in

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Potato is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially during tuber formation. The database soil reference is Loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam with good organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 5.0-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 3-10 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

3-10 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam with good organic matter

Soil pH

5.0-6.5

Water needs

Moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially during tuber formation

Plant spacing

10-12 in between plants; 30-36 in between rows

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Usually propagated from seed potatoes; sprouts emerge in about 2-4 weeks and the seed depth is Plant seed potato pieces about 3-4 inches deep. The listed time to maturity is 70-120 days depending on variety. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Usually propagated from seed potatoes; sprouts emerge in about 2-4 weeks

Germination temperature

Soil around 45-70°F supports sprouting and early growth

Seed depth

Plant seed potato pieces about 3-4 inches deep

Sowing method

Plant certified disease-free seed potatoes or cut pieces with at least one healthy eye

Start indoors

Not usually necessary

Transplanting

Generally direct planted; avoid damaging developing sprouts and roots

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

70-120 days depending on variety

Harvest

Harvest new potatoes after flowering or mature tubers after foliage yellows and dies back; cure before long-term storage

Propagation

Vegetatively from seed potatoes or tuber pieces; botanical seed is mainly used for breeding

Pollination

Flowers are usually self-pollinating but may also be visited by insects

Garden Information

Common pests

Colorado potato beetles, aphids, wireworms, flea beetles, potato leafhoppers

Common diseases

Late blight, early blight, common scab, blackleg, verticillium wilt

Toxicity / cautions

Green tubers, sprouts, leaves, stems, and berries contain toxic glycoalkaloids and should not be eaten

Uses

Boiling, baking, roasting, frying, mashing, soups, storage