How Do Potatoes Grow?

Let’s get to the root of the question by starting with the fact that potatoes are root vegetables. They do not grow from a seed, as potatoes themselves are part of a root structure. So you grow potatoes by planting…potatoes.

Seed potatoes

In most climates, early spring is the best time to start your potato crop. You use previously harvested potatoes that have begun to form new sprouts from their “eyes” and plant them directly into the ground, about six inches deep. Farmers usually save 5-15% of their harvest from the previous year for planting. If the potatoes are smaller (around 3 inches) you can plant the whole spud. If they are bigger, just cut them in half, but let them dry for a day or two before planting. 

Wait for the sprouts

Usually around 2 to 4 weeks after planting, potato sprouts will begin to appear on the surface and form a leafy plant. Once it reaches around six inches in height, you should begin “hilling”  which means mounding the soil up around the base of the plant to make sure the potatoes underneath are protected from the sun and air. If you planted them in a row, you can make one long hill.

Let ‘em grow.

During this time, the “mother” potato you planted will start to vine out underground and grow more potatoes. The stems will grow between two and ten potatoes, depending on available moisture and soil nutrients. The leafy plant above the ground can grow up to 40 inches, and later a flowering plant will appear at the top. Be warned, these flowers are considered poisonous so do not eat them.

When to harvest

If planted in early spring, harvesting normally occurs in late summer or early autumn. This depends on what kind of potatoes you planted and what level of doneness you prefer. Just monitor the foliage. If you harvest them within 2-3 weeks after the plants stop flowering, they are known as “new” potatoes. These are smaller and have a more tender skin. If you want larger, more mature potatoes, once the plants have died down, wait 2-3 more weeks then cut the brown foliage and harvest the spuds.

Potatoes are very hearty vegetables that grow well on less land, which is why they’ve been a staple food and have helped feed the world for centuries.

Interested in how growing potatoes has changed the world? Read our latest blog on how potatoes have changed the world.