🥔 Potato: Growing Guide
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 10–25 °C (50–77 °F) in soil with a pH of 4.8–6.0. Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart. Expect 70–120 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Solanum tuberosum |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 35 cm (14 in) |
| Soil pH | 4.8–6.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 10–25 °C (50–77 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 70–120 days |
| Sowing depth | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Height | 60–100 cm (24–39 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar–Apr, Oct · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Water regularly during germination.
Growing tips
Deep soil. Hill up the soil when plants reach 20 cm. Avoid planting near tomato and pepper.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Potato: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar–Apr, Oct · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Potato: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Water regularly during germination.
Potato: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 35 cm (14 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 10 cm (3.9 in).
Potato: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 70–120 days.
Potato: which plants grow well with it?
Bean, Pea, Rosemary.
Potato: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Colorado beetle, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia.
Plan your garden
Add Potato to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
Open the free planner →