How to Grow a Potato Plant from a Potato

Growing a potato plant from a potato is a rewarding experience for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. It’s a simple process that requires minimal space and equipment, making it ideal for home gardens, allotments or even patio pots. With the right conditions, your potato plant will flourish and produce a satisfying crop of fresh, earthy tubers that taste better than anything from the supermarket.

What Kind of Potatoes Are Good for Growing?

To grow potatoes successfully, it is best to use certified seed potatoes rather than those bought from a supermarket. Seed potatoes are specially grown to be disease-free and ensure a strong, healthy crop. Although sprouted shop-bought potatoes can work, they often carry hidden issues such as blight or pests. Seed potatoes are available in many varieties, each with its own flavour, texture and ideal harvest time.

Best Potatoes to Plant

There are three main types of potatoes to consider: first earlies, second earlies and maincrops. First earlies like ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Rocket’ are quick to mature and ideal for smaller spaces or containers. Second earlies such as ‘Nicola’ and ‘Kestrel’ are ready slightly later and often have a smoother texture. Maincrops like ‘Maris Piper’ and ‘King Edward’ take longer to grow but yield larger harvests. The best choice depends on your space, soil and how long you are willing to wait.

When Is Best to Grow Potato Plants?

The best time to grow potatoes in the UK is from late February to April, depending on the variety. First earlies are usually planted in March, second earlies shortly after, and maincrops in mid to late April. The soil needs to be workable and not frozen. Chitting your seed potatoes — allowing them to sprout in a light, frost-free area — a few weeks before planting helps give them a head start.

Best Sun and Soil Conditions

Potatoes need a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. They prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid soil that is too heavy or compacted, as this can lead to small or misshapen tubers. Light sandy or loamy soil is ideal, and slightly acidic conditions tend to produce the best results. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure before planting can greatly improve the structure and fertility of the soil.

When to Plant Potatoes

Planting time depends on the type of potato and your local climate. In milder regions, planting can begin as early as late February for first earlies, while cooler areas might wait until late March or April. Soil temperature should be at least 7°C for reliable growth. Avoid planting when there is still a risk of hard frost, as emerging shoots can be damaged. Covering with fleece or adding mulch can help protect early growth.

Planting in a Yard or Garden

When planting in the ground, dig a trench roughly 10 to 15 centimetres deep and space seed potatoes about 30 centimetres apart. Rows should be spaced 60 centimetres apart to allow for earthing up — the process of mounding soil around the shoots as they grow. This encourages more tuber development and protects the crop from sunlight, which can turn potatoes green and toxic. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season.

Planting in a Pot or Grow Bag

If space is limited, potatoes grow very well in containers or grow bags. Start with a layer of compost in the base of the pot, place two or three seed potatoes on top and cover with more compost. As the shoots grow, continue adding compost to cover them until the container is full. This mimics the earthing up process and encourages more tuber formation. Keep pots well watered and positioned in a sunny spot for best results.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Grow a Potato Plant from a Potato

Begin by chitting your seed potatoes indoors, placing them in a cool, bright location until they develop short, stubby sprouts.

Once the soil has warmed, plant the potatoes with the sprouts facing up, either in the ground or a container.

Cover them with soil and wait for the shoots to emerge.

 As the shoots grow, mound more soil around them to protect the stems and encourage tuber formation.

Keep the plants well watered and watch for signs of flowering, which usually indicates that tubers are forming underground.

Once the foliage starts to yellow and die back, it’s time to harvest your homegrown potatoes.

Harvesting and Storing

First earlies can be harvested around ten to twelve weeks after planting, often in June or July. Second earlies follow in July to early August, and maincrops are ready from late August through to October. Gently lift the plants using a fork to avoid damaging the tubers. Allow potatoes to dry off before storing them in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place. Avoid storing in plastic bags or near onions, as moisture and ethylene can cause spoilage. Maincrop potatoes store well over winter if kept in hessian sacks or paper bags in a frost-free shed or garage.

Common Issues When Growing Potatoes

Potatoes can suffer from a number of pests and diseases, the most notorious being blight, which causes dark spots on leaves and tubers. This is especially problematic in warm, humid conditions. Slugs and wireworms may also attack developing potatoes underground. Regular inspection and crop rotation can help reduce these risks. If growing in containers, replacing the compost each year can help prevent disease build-up. Overwatering or poorly drained soil can lead to rotting, so consistent but moderate watering is best.