Potato Solanum tuberosum
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an annual vegetable in the Solanaceae family. It grows 50–80 cm (20–31 in) tall and 50–70 cm (20–28 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Potato in your garden →
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Potato at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Mature height | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–70 cm (20–28 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–10 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: cooked tubers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Potato toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: green tubers, sprouts, leaves, berries
Green tubers, sprouts and foliage contain solanine; eat only properly stored tubers.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Potato
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- avoid With Black walnut: Black walnut releases juglone from roots, leaves and hulls, which is documented to injure or kill this sensitive species. Evidence B
- caution With Tomato: Both are hosts of late blight (Phytophthora infestans), which can spread between them. Evidence B
- caution With Florence fennel: Fennel releases growth-inhibiting compounds from roots and foliage; lab and garden reports show poorer growth of tomato, pepper and other nearby crops, so keep it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Apricot: Verticillium wilt fungus persists for years in soil where potatoes grew and kills apricot trees, so avoid planting apricot on such ground. Evidence B
- caution With Smoke tree: Smoke tree is very susceptible to Verticillium wilt, which persists in soil after tomato, potato or aubergine crops; avoid planting it where those crops have wilted. Evidence C
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress tomatoes, peppers and many other vegetables nearby; grow it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Nightshades: Nightshades share late blight, early blight, Verticillium wilt and Colorado potato beetle; mix with other families and rotate the bed. Evidence B
- avoid With Nightshades: Potatoes are the main source of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) that spreads to tomatoes and other nightshades within a few metres. Evidence B
- caution With Sunflower: Sunflower residues and roots release phenolic compounds that can slow nearby seedlings; transplants are less affected. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Late blight: Late blight spreads by wind-borne spores between potatoes, tomatoes and their relatives. Evidence B
Questions about Potato
- How far apart should I plant Potato?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–70 cm (20–28 in).
- Does Potato need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Potato need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Potato?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Potato flower?
- About 7–10 weeks after planting, for 2–4 weeks.
- Is Potato poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people moderately toxic. Green tubers, sprouts and foliage contain solanine; eat only properly stored tubers.
- What grows well with Potato?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Potato. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
- Cherry tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
- Bell pepper Capsicum annuum
- Eggplant (aubergine) Solanum melongena
- Chili pepper Capsicum annuum (hot types)
- Petunia Petunia x hybrida
- Tomatillo Physalis philadelphica
- Ground cherry (husk cherry) Physalis pruinosa