Solanum tuberosum (Potato)

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Plant description

Potato is a herbaceous perennial plant, grown for the tuberous roots. They are a healthy and rich food source, and can be grown even in small backyards.  It is the fourth largest food crop world-wide, and originates from South America.

Potato plants grow best on a fertile, deeply dug acidic soil. They can be grown in built up beds or in special growing bags or deep pots, to create the deep soil conditions that they prefer. Potatoes like an even supply of soil moisture. They need 60-90 days of growth to harvest, though new potatoes can be produced in less time. New potatoes should be eaten straight away, as they don't store well, unlike mature potatoes.

Potato plants are frost tender. They don't need lime added to the soil, as they prefer an acid soil. Mulching around the plant is a good idea to discourage weeds, and to protect the tubers from light. Light will cause potatoes to go green, which is an indication of the formation of chemicals called glycoalkaloids. These are also formed when potatoes are damaged, and they can cause symptoms like food poisoning.

Certified seed potatoes are recommended for planting, as these are disease free. Plant these 10-15 cm deep. As the potato plant grows, soil should be hilled up around the plant, as this encourages more potato tubers to form.

The flower colour of the plant is an indicator of the colour of the potato tuber. Potatoes are ready to harvest for storage when the tops have withered You can also dig carefully into the soil to find potatoes for immediate use, this method lets the plant keep growing and producing providing you are careful.

Potatoes are subject to a few problems, mainly fungal. These can be avoided by good cultivation methods. Heavy clay soil favours potato scab. This can be remedied by building raised beds with more open soil. Potatoes should not be grown in the same place in successive years to avoid the build up of diseases such as potato scab and other fungal diseases, and root nematodes. Pests such as mites and thrips may be troublesome, but a well grown plant should give fewer problems with these. Regular fertilising will help to promote strong healthy growth that resists attack. The fertiliser should be higher in potassium and phosphates than in nitrogen.

See our article about planting and growing potatoes for more information.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: White, pink, mauve, blue
Flowering season: spring summer autumn winter

Plant size

Maximum height: 1 metres
Minimum height: 0.5 metres

Maximum width: 1 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full sunlight.
Medium frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: moist, well-drained.

Clay: well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

Diseases

Potato scab, blight, bacterial canker

Pests

Thrips, mites, aphids

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Can generally be planted most times of the year. Best time is spring for cold areas, and late summer to autumn in warmer areas..

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose fertiliser, higher in potassium and phosphorus, lower in nitrogen..

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