Potato plants are herbaceous perennials in the family Solanaceae, grown for their edible tubers. They have underground stems known as rhizomes, and they produce large, dark green leaves with white flowers. Potato plants reach a height of up to three feet, and they require well-drained, fertile soil and full sun to thrive. They are susceptible to several pests and diseases, including potato blight, Colorado potato beetle, and potato scab.
Planning Your Garden With Potatoes
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Potatoes are an annual plant. |
| USDA Zone | Potatoes are hardy in USDA Zones 2-10. |
| Cold Tolerance | Potatoes can tolerate temperatures as low as 32. When temperatures drop below this, the potato plants will die and the tubers may suffer from frost damage. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest potatoes is usually between 70 and 90 days, depending on the variety. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown potato plant is between 1 and 2 feet tall. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing potatoes is 12-15 inches between plants, with 30-36 inches between rows. |
| Sun tolerance | Potatoes are fairly tolerant of sun exposure and can withstand up to 8 hours of direct sun per day. However, they will benefit from some partial shade during the hottest parts of the day. |
| Shade tolerance | Potatoes are generally considered to be moderately shade tolerant. They can tolerate some shade, but they require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to produce a good crop. |
| Water requirements | Potatoes need 1-2 inches of water a week, either from rainfall or irrigation. A soil with good drainage is also important for potato plants. For best results, water the potatoes deeply and less frequently, rather than lightly and more often. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing potatoes depends on the type of fertilizer you are using, the soil type, and the size of the planting area. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 5-10-10 is recommended. For every 100 square feet of planting area, apply 1 to 2 pounds of fertilizer. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing potatoes is between 4.5 and 6.0. |
Why Potatoes are Popular
People enjoy growing potatoes because they are easy to grow and can provide a large yield with minimal effort. Potatoes are also a versatile crop that can be used in a variety of recipes, making them a great addition to any home garden. Additionally, potatoes can be stored for long periods of time, making them a great source of food security.
Companion Plants For Potatoes
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for potatoes include:
Common Pests For Potatoes
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow potatoes, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- flea beetles
- wireworms
- potato beetles
- aphids
- beetles
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
