Those pale, wrinkled shoots emerging from a potato’s eyes are signs of life, not spoilage, and they are ready to be planted with a few simple adjustments. Learning how to plant potatoes that have sprouted is a smart way to reduce kitchen waste and get a head start on your garden. You don’t need to throw that old potato in the compost bin; you can turn it into a whole new crop of delicious spuds.
The process is forgiving, even for beginners. You just need to understand a few key rules about light, soil, and timing. This guide will walk you through every step, from prepping your sprouted potato to harvesting your bounty. Let’s turn that neglected vegetable into a productive plant.
Why Sprouted Potatoes Are Perfect For Planting
Potatoes are not seeds; they are tubers. The “eyes” on a potato are actually dormant buds. When conditions are right, these buds sprout. This is a natural process that happens when the potato has been stored for a while.
Planting a sprouted potato is essentially cloning. The new plant will grow from the energy stored in the mother tuber. This gives the young plant a strong start, making it more vigorous than one grown from a true seed.
You do not need to buy expensive seed potatoes if you have a sprouted one at home. Any potato variety will work, as long as it is healthy and firm. Avoid any that are mushy, shriveled, or have a foul smell.
Understanding The Sprouts
Not all sprouts are created equal. Long, white, tangled sprouts are common in dark pantries. These are called “etiolated” sprouts, and they are a bit weak. They are still usable, but they need careful handling.
Short, stubby, green or purple sprouts are ideal. These have been exposed to some light and are strong. They are less likely to break off during planting. If your sprouts are long and white, you can still plant them, just be gentle.
The number of sprouts matters too. A potato with many sprouts will produce a plant with many stems. This can lead to many small potatoes. A potato with fewer sprouts will produce fewer stems, but the potatoes will be larger.
How To Plant Potatoes That Have Sprouted
Now we get to the core of the matter. This process involves a few key decisions. You need to decide if you will plant the whole potato or cut it into pieces. You also need to prepare the soil correctly.
Step 1: Assess The Sprouts
First, look at your potato. Check the sprouts for any signs of damage. If a sprout is broken, it will not grow. You can still plant the potato if it has other healthy sprouts.
If the sprouts are very long and pale, you can try to “green” them up. Place the potato in a bright, indirect light location for a few days. This will help the sprouts strengthen and turn green. This is called “chitting.”
Do not put them in direct sunlight, as that can cook them. A windowsill that gets morning sun is perfect. This step is optional but highly recommended for weak sprouts.
Step 2: Decide On Whole Or Cut Potatoes
You have two main options here. You can plant the potato whole, or you can cut it into sections. Each method has its benefits.
- Whole Potatoes: Best for small potatoes or those with only a few sprouts. They are less prone to rotting in the ground.
- Cut Potatoes: Best for large potatoes with many sprouts. This maximizes your yield from a single tuber.
If you choose to cut, use a clean, sharp knife. Cut the potato into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one or two strong sprouts. A good size for a piece is about 1.5 to 2 inches square.
After cutting, you must let the pieces “cure.” Place them cut-side up on a tray and leave them in a cool, dry place for 2-3 days. This allows a protective callus to form over the cut surface, preventing rot.
Step 3: Prepare The Planting Site
Potatoes love loose, well-draining soil. They do not like to sit in water. If your soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds or large containers.
Choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of full sun per day. Potatoes are heavy feeders, so mix in some compost or aged manure before planting. This provides the nutrients they need to grow.
The soil pH should be slightly acidic, ideally between 5.0 and 6.0. This helps prevent scab, a common potato disease. You can test your soil and amend it if necessary.
Step 4: Planting Depth And Spacing
Dig a trench that is about 4-6 inches deep. Place your potato pieces or whole potatoes in the trench, with the sprouts facing upward. Space them about 12 inches apart.
If you are planting in rows, keep the rows about 2-3 feet apart. This gives the plants plenty of room to grow and allows for easy hilling later on. Hilling is the process of mounding soil around the stems.
Cover the potatoes with soil, but do not pack it down. You want the soil to be loose so the shoots can push through easily. Water them in well after planting.
Step 5: The Art Of Hilling
Potatoes are unique because they form tubers along the underground part of the stem. If you leave the stems exposed, they will turn green and produce solanine, which is toxic. Hilling prevents this.
When the plants are about 6-8 inches tall, you need to “hill” them. Use a hoe or your hands to pull soil up around the stems, burying about half of the plant. This encourages more tuber production.
You will need to hill them again in about 3-4 weeks. The goal is to keep the developing potatoes covered with soil at all times. This is the single most important step for a good harvest.
Step 6: Watering And Care
Consistent watering is crucial for potatoes. They need about 1-2 inches of water per week. Inconsistent watering can cause the tubers to crack or become misshapen.
Water deeply and less frequently, rather than a little bit every day. This encourages deep root growth. A layer of mulch, like straw, can help retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
Watch out for pests like Colorado potato beetles. You can hand-pick them off the leaves and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Regular inspection is your best defense.
Planting In Containers
If you lack garden space, you can easily grow sprouted potatoes in containers. This method is very popular for patios and balconies. You can use a large pot, a grow bag, or even a trash can with drainage holes.
Start by placing about 4-6 inches of soil in the bottom of the container. Place your potato pieces on top of this soil, then cover them with another 4 inches of soil. Water well.
As the plants grow, you will “hill” them by adding more soil to the container. You keep adding soil until the container is full. This is a great way to maximize space and yield.
Choosing The Right Container
The container needs to be at least 10-15 gallons in volume for a good harvest. It also needs excellent drainage. If water pools at the bottom, the tubers will rot.
Grow bags are a great option because they are breathable and prevent the roots from getting waterlogged. They also make harvesting easy; you can just dump the bag out.
Make sure the container is placed in a sunny spot. Potatoes in containers will need more frequent watering than those in the ground, especially in hot weather. Check the soil moisture daily.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when planting sprouted potatoes. Avoiding these will ensure a healthier crop.
- Planting Too Early: Potatoes cannot tolerate frost. Wait until the soil temperature is at least 45°F (7°C) before planting.
- Planting Too Deep: While hilling is good, planting the seed potato too deep can cause it to rot before it sprouts.
- Using Diseased Potatoes: If the potato is soft, smelly, or has black spots, throw it away. It will only spread disease.
- Skipping The Curing Step: If you cut your potatoes, you must let the cuts dry. Planting them immediately invites rot.
- Forgetting To Hill: This is the biggest mistake. Exposed potatoes will turn green and become bitter and toxic.
Harvesting Your Potatoes
Knowing when to harvest is just as important as knowing how to plant. You can harvest “new” potatoes early, or wait for full-sized mature potatoes. The timing depends on what you want.
For new potatoes, harvest about 2-3 weeks after the plants flower. These are thin-skinned and perfect for boiling. You can gently dig around the base of the plant to feel for them.
For mature potatoes, wait until the plants have died back completely. The foliage will turn yellow and flop over. This signals that the tubers have finished growing and the skins have set.
How To Cure And Store
After harvesting, do not wash the potatoes. Instead, let them dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place for a few days. This is called “curing” and it helps the skins thicken for storage.
After curing, brush off any excess soil. Store them in a cool, dark place like a basement or pantry. The ideal temperature is around 40-50°F (4-10°C). Do not store them in the refrigerator, as the cold will turn the starch into sugar.
Check your stored potatoes regularly and remove any that are starting to rot. One bad potato can quickly spoil the whole batch. With proper storage, they can last for several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about planting sprouted potatoes. These should help clear up any remaining confusion you might have.
Can I Plant A Potato That Has Very Long White Sprouts?
Yes, you can. Long white sprouts are just a sign that the potato was stored in the dark. They are a bit fragile, but they will grow. Try to “green” them up in indirect light for a few days before planting to strengthen them.
Should I Remove Some Sprouts From The Potato?
You can, but it is not necessary. If you want larger potatoes, you can rub off some of the weaker sprouts, leaving only 2-3 strong ones. This focuses the plant’s energy into fewer, larger tubers.
What Happens If I Plant A Potato That Is Starting To Shrivel?
A slightly shriveled potato is fine to plant. It has lost some moisture, but it still has energy. However, if it is mushy or smells bad, it is rotten and should be discarded.
Can I Use Potatoes From The Grocery Store?
Yes, you can. However, some grocery store potatoes are treated with a sprout inhibitor. If they have already sprouted, they were not treated, so they are safe to plant. Just make sure they are organic or untreated if possible.
How Long Does It Take For Sprouted Potatoes To Grow?
It takes about 70-100 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety. You will see shoots emerging from the soil within 2-4 weeks of planting. New potatoes can be harvested a bit earlier.
Planting sprouted potatoes is a rewarding experiance. It is a simple way to get a head start on the growing season and reduce food waste. With the right preparation and a little patience, you will be digging up your own fresh, delicious potatoes in no time. Remember the key steps: assess the sprouts, prepare the soil, plant at the right depth, and hill diligently. Your efforts will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.