In this post, I’ll share the exact steps that transformed my potato-growing attempts from disappointing to wildly successful, ensuring I never have to buy store-bought potatoes again.

How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes

Growing potatoes from existing potatoes is a simple process, but you need to follow a few key steps to ensure a healthy and abundant harvest. Here’s how to do it:

Step-by-Step Guide

Select Healthy Potatoes: Choose organic potatoes that haven’t been treated with growth inhibitors. If you’re using store-bought potatoes, opt for those that have visible “eyes” (small indents where sprouts form). Certified seed potatoes are ideal since they are free of diseases.For healthy and disease-free seed potatoes, consider purchasing certified seed potatoes online or at your local garden center.
Cut Potatoes into Pieces: If your potato is large, you can cut it into smaller pieces. Each piece should have at least one or two “eyes,” as this is where the sprouts will grow. Pro Tip: Allow the cut potato pieces to dry and form a callous by leaving them out for 1-2 days. This reduces the risk of rotting when planted.
Prepare the Soil: Potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (pH 5.0-6.0). Add compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Plant the Potatoes:
- Dig holes or trenches 4-6 inches deep.
- Place the potato pieces in the soil, eyes facing upward.
- Space the potatoes about 12-15 inches apart, with rows spaced 2-3 feet apart.
Cover with Soil: Lightly cover the potatoes with soil, leaving room for future hilling (the process of adding more soil around the base of the plant as it grows).
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture, ensuring the soil stays damp but not waterlogged.
Hill the Potatoes: As the plants grow and reach about 6 inches tall, mound more soil around the base to cover the lower stems. This encourages more tuber growth.
Harvesting: Potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants start to yellow and die back. For new potatoes, you can harvest once the plants flower.

How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes Without Seeds

Potatoes don’t need traditional seeds to grow; they can propagate from existing tubers. Instead of seed potatoes, you can use regular potatoes from your kitchen. Here’s how:

Choose Sprouted Potatoes: Select potatoes that have visible eyes or sprouts.
Cut and Cure: If the potato is large, cut it into smaller sections. Let them dry for a day or two to avoid rot.
Plant as Usual: Follow the same planting steps as mentioned above.

Even without “seeds,” potatoes can thrive using this method.

How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes with Eyes

Potato eyes are crucial for sprouting. If you’re growing potatoes from potatoes with eyes, here’s what to do:

Chit the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a cool, light-filled area to encourage sprouting. This process is called “chitting.”
Plant: Once the sprouts are about 1 inch long, plant the potato pieces (with at least one eye per piece) 4-6 inches deep in well-prepared soil.

Do Potatoes Have to Sprout Before Planting?

While it’s not strictly necessary to chit or sprout potatoes before planting, it does give the plants a head start. Sprouting ensures quicker growth and can lead to an earlier harvest.

Without Sprouting: You can plant potatoes directly into the soil, and they will eventually sprout.
With Sprouting: Chitting potatoes before planting helps them establish roots faster and increases your chances of a successful harvest.

How Many Potatoes Grow from One Potato?

From one potato, you can harvest multiple tubers. On average, one potato piece (with eyes) can produce 3-6 new potatoes, depending on the variety, growing conditions, and care.

Smaller Varieties: Small varieties like new potatoes might yield more per plant.
Larger Varieties: Larger potatoes, like Russets, typically yield fewer but bigger potatoes.

How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes in Containers

Container gardening is ideal for people with limited space or poor soil quality. Here’s how to grow potatoes in various containers:

Growing Potatoes in a Bucket

Choose a Bucket: A 5-gallon bucket with drainage holes at the bottom is perfect for growing potatoes.
Fill with Soil: Add 4-6 inches of potting soil mixed with compost to the bottom.
Plant: Place the potato pieces with eyes facing up, then cover with 4 inches of soil.
Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Hill the Potatoes: As the plants grow, add more soil to keep the tubers covered.

Growing Potatoes in a Bag

Select a Grow Bag: Purchase a breathable grow bag specifically designed for potatoes.
Fill with Soil: Add 4-6 inches of soil to the bottom of the bag.
Plant: Place the potato pieces, eyes up, and cover with soil.
Hill and Water: Follow the same hilling process as with in-ground potatoes and water regularly.

How to Grow Potatoes from Potatoes in Water

Growing potatoes in water can be a fun educational project for kids or gardeners interested in observing the root development. Here’s how:

Select a Potato: Choose a small, sprouted potato.
Prepare a Container: Use a glass jar filled with water.
Suspend the Potato: Insert toothpicks around the middle of the potato and rest it on the rim of the jar so the bottom half is submerged in water.
Wait for Roots: Change the water every few days. Roots and sprouts should form within a week or two.
Transplant to Soil: Once roots have formed, transplant the potato into a container with soil to continue growing.

How to Grow Potatoes Indoors

If you don’t have an outdoor garden, you can still grow potatoes indoors. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Choose a Container: A large pot, grow bag, or bucket with drainage holes works well.
Use Potting Mix: Indoor plants need a high-quality potting mix, preferably enriched with compost.
Plant the Potatoes: Follow the same steps for planting as outlined above.
Lighting: Place the container in a sunny window or use grow lights to ensure the plants receive at least 6 hours of light daily.
Watering: Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Harvest: Harvest when the plants die back, just as you would with outdoor potatoes.

How Deep to Plant Potatoes

Potatoes need to be planted at the right depth for optimal growth:

In-Ground Planting: Bury potato pieces 4-6 inches deep.
Container or Bag: Start with 4-6 inches of soil and add more as the plants grow to keep the tubers covered.
Bucket Planting: Ensure there is enough space to add soil as the plants grow taller.

Planting too shallow can expose tubers to sunlight, causing them to turn green and become toxic. Planting too deep can stunt growth.

Common Potato Growing Problems and Solutions

1. Pests

Colorado Potato Beetle: Handpick beetles or use organic insecticides like neem oil to control infestations.
Aphids: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or use insecticidal soap.

2. Diseases

Blight: To prevent blight, ensure good air circulation between plants and avoid watering the foliage.
Potato Scab: Plant in slightly acidic soil to reduce the risk of scab.

3. Nutrient Deficiency

Yellow Leaves: This is often due to nitrogen deficiency. A balanced fertilizer or compost can help.
Purple Leaves: May indicate phosphorus deficiency. Adding bone meal can correct this issue.

Grow Potatoes from Potatoes: Mistakes to Avoid

Growing potatoes from potatoes can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. However, many novice gardeners make common mistakes that can lead to disappointing yields. In this article, we’ll cover some crucial errors to avoid and share tips to ensure a successful potato harvest.

1. Choosing the Wrong Seed Potatoes

One of the first mistakes many gardeners make is using store-bought potatoes instead of certified seed potatoes. Store-bought varieties may carry diseases that can ruin your crop.

Tip: Use Certified Seed Potatoes

Invest in certified seed potatoes from a reputable supplier. These are specifically grown for planting and are disease-free.

2. Planting at the Wrong Time

Timing is essential when it comes to planting potatoes. Many gardeners rush to plant too early, risking frost damage.

Tip: Know Your Local Frost Dates

Check your local frost dates and plant your seed potatoes two weeks after the last frost date. This timing helps protect young plants from cold temperatures.

3. Neglecting Soil Quality

Potatoes thrive in loose, well-draining soil. Planting in heavy, compacted soil can stunt growth and cause rot.

Tip: Improve Soil Quality

Before planting, amend your soil with compost and well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrient content. This creates an ideal growing environment.

4. Cutting Seed Potatoes Incorrectly

Some gardeners believe they can maximize their harvest by cutting seed potatoes into multiple pieces. However, improper cuts can lead to rot.

Tip: Cut Seed Potatoes Properly

When cutting seed potatoes, ensure each piece has at least one “eye” and allow them to dry for a day or two before planting. This helps form a protective callous.

5. Overwatering or Underwatering

Finding the right balance in watering is crucial. Overwatering can lead to disease, while underwatering can stunt growth.

Tip: Water Smartly

Aim for consistent moisture. Water deeply once a week, adjusting based on rainfall. Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Failing to Hill Up

Hilling is the practice of mounding soil around the base of potato plants as they grow. Skipping this step can result in smaller tubers.

Tip: Hill Your Potatoes

Start hilling when plants are about 6 inches tall. This encourages more tuber production and prevents them from being exposed to sunlight, which can cause greening.

7. Ignoring Pest and Disease Management

Pests like the Colorado potato beetle and diseases such as blight can devastate your crop if not managed properly.

Tip: Monitor and Manage Pests

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and diseases. Use organic pesticides or companion planting to deter pests. For a more robust approach, consider investing in insect netting.

8. Harvesting Too Early or Too Late

Harvesting potatoes at the wrong time can significantly impact your yield.

Tip: Know When to Harvest

Wait until the foliage starts to yellow and die back for mature potatoes. If you want new potatoes, you can harvest them earlier but be cautious not to damage the plant.

Final Thoughts

Growing potatoes from potatoes is an easy, rewarding process that can yield abundant crops in a variety of environments, from gardens to containers. Whether you’re planting in the ground, a pot, or even in water, potatoes are versatile and relatively low-maintenance.