1 named cultivar

‘Yukon Gold’Yukon Gold Potato

fruit vegetable

Potato

The Story

Plant Bio

Solanum tuberosum, the potato, is a warm-season crop from the Andes of South America, one to two feet high with erect winged branching stems. Compound leaves clothe the plant, small white or lavender flowers open in summer, and the edible tubers form underground on short stems rather than on the roots.

Green potatoes are genuinely toxic — light exposure produces solanine, and a greened tuber should be discarded rather than peeled. Earthing up as the plant grows keeps developing tubers dark and is the reason for the ridging, not just for support. The small round berries that sometimes follow the flowers are also poisonous and are not tomatoes.

Uses & Benefits:

Little; this is a crop plant, though the flowers are pretty enough in a potager.

One of the highest-yielding crops per square foot, and useful for breaking new ground.

Bumblebees pollinate the flowers, though the crop is grown from tubers rather than seed.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

24 inches

Width

15 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

Andes of South America

Toxicity

Tubers edible; foliage, berries and green tubers toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant seed potatoes in spring once soil has warmed.
Set them four inches deep in a trench.
Earth up as shoots grow to keep tubers dark.
Water consistently while the tubers swell.
Harvest earlies while flowering, maincrop when tops die.
Discard any tuber that has greened.

Pro Tip

Earthing up is what keeps tubers dark and safe to eat, not just what supports the plant — light turns them green and toxic.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Earth up as the plants grow ⛏️
Use certified seed potatoes 🥔
Water steadily while tubers swell 💧
Store the crop in the dark 🌑

Don't

Eat green or sprouted tubers ❌
Eat the leaves or berries ❌
Plant supermarket potatoes ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest
Plant

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Vegetable bed and rotation plotLarge containers and grow bagsBreaking new ground before other crops

Companion Plants

Bush Bean Horseradish Marigold Nasturtium Cabbage

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Potato questions

What zones can Potato grow in?

Potato is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Potato deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Potato, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Potato bloom?

Potato typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Potato need full sun?

Potato does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.