Potato
Solanum tuberosum
The potato is a cool-season nightshade-family plant grown for its starchy underground tubers, among the world's most widely cultivated staple crops. It is grown from 'seed potatoes' that sprout into leafy plants.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Even, regular moisture
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Solanum tuberosum is a cool-season member of the nightshade family grown for its tubers - swollen underground stems packed with starch.
The leafy above-ground plant produces small flowers and, occasionally, small green fruits, but the crop of value forms below the soil. Potatoes are typically grown from "seed potatoes" (tuber pieces with eyes) rather than true seed.
From its Andean origins, the potato became a globally important crop, valued for its productivity, adaptability, and versatility.
How to identify it
- Bushy, herbaceous plant 1-3 ft tall with compound, slightly hairy leaves
- Star-shaped white, pink, or purple flowers with yellow centers
- Underground tubers with 'eyes' (buds) and skins of brown, red, yellow, or purple
- Small green tomato-like fruits may form after flowering
- New tubers form along underground stems (stolons), encouraged by hilling soil up the stem
Care & growing
Light: Full sun.
Water: Even, regular moisture, especially during tuber formation; avoid waterlogging.
Soil: Loose, well-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.
Temperature: Cool-season crop; tubers form best with soil temperatures around 60-70 F.
Hilling: Mound soil up around stems as they grow to protect developing tubers from light and increase yield.
Feeding & propagation: Moderate balanced feeding; grow from certified seed potatoes to avoid disease.
Habitat & origin
The potato was first domesticated in the Andean highlands of present-day Peru and Bolivia thousands of years ago. Spanish explorers introduced it to Europe in the 16th century, after which it spread worldwide.
It is now cultivated across temperate and high-altitude regions globally and ranks among the most widely grown crops on Earth.
Frequently asked questions
What are 'seed potatoes'?
They are tubers (or pieces with eyes) used for planting; certified seed potatoes are disease-free and preferred over grocery-store spuds.
Why hill up soil around potatoes?
Hilling shields developing tubers from sunlight and gives more room for tubers to form, boosting yield.
How do I identify a potato plant?
It is a bushy herbaceous plant 1 to 3 feet tall with compound, slightly hairy leaves and star-shaped white, pink, or purple flowers with yellow centers.
What growing conditions do potatoes need?
Potatoes prefer full sun, loose well-draining slightly acidic soil, and even moisture, with cool soil temperatures around 60 to 70 F for best tuber formation.
Potato guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Potato.
