Growing potatoes has always been on my gardening bucket list, but with limited garden space, I wasn’t sure it was possible. Then I discovered container gardening for potatoes, and let me tell you—there’s something immensely satisfying about tipping a pot and watching those little gems spill out. I’ve come to love this method for its simplicity, minimal space requirements, and the pure joy of harvesting. If you’re ready to try growing potatoes in a pot, here’s my step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Why Grow Potatoes in a Pot?
Potatoes are such a kitchen staple, and growing them in a pot makes them accessible even if you’re short on garden space. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to manage in containers! With this method, there’s less weeding, fewer pests, and it’s so much easier to harvest—no digging required. Also, I found the flexibility of moving the pot around to catch the best sunlight a huge advantage.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Pot
Potatoes need space to grow, so a good-sized container is essential. I went with a large, 10-gallon pot—anything smaller might restrict growth. A deep, well-draining pot is key because potatoes grow best in loose soil and will need ample room for the tubers to develop. If you can find one, a pot with drainage holes along the bottom is perfect to prevent waterlogging.
Tip: Fabric grow bags work brilliantly for potatoes since they allow the soil to breathe and reduce the risk of rot.
Step 2: Picking Your Seed Potatoes
I chose certified seed potatoes from a local garden centre, as they’re less likely to carry diseases. You can try sprouting potatoes from the supermarket, but they’re often treated to prevent sprouting, so they may not work as well.
To give them a head start, I let my seed potatoes “chit” by placing them in a sunny spot until they developed small sprouts. You only need a few tubers for one pot, as overcrowding can reduce your yield. My go-to variety is a small red potato—they’re delicious roasted or in a salad.
Step 3: Preparing the Soil
Potatoes love rich, well-draining soil. I mixed up a blend of compost, potting soil, and a bit of sand to keep it loose. Potatoes also appreciate slightly acidic soil, so if you have a soil pH kit, aim for somewhere between 5.0 and 6.0.
Fertilising Tip: Before planting, I mixed in a handful of organic fertiliser high in potassium. Potatoes are hungry plants, so they’ll need plenty of nutrients to produce good-sized tubers.
Step 4: Planting the Potatoes
With my pot and soil ready, it was time to plant. I filled the pot with about 10-15 cm of soil, placed the sprouted seed potatoes with the sprouts facing up, and covered them with another 5-7 cm of soil. This layer approach is key—potatoes like to grow upwards, and as the plant grows, you’ll keep adding more soil to encourage tuber development.
Step 5: Caring for Your Potato Plants
Potatoes need plenty of sunlight to thrive, so I positioned my pot in a sunny spot where it would get at least 6 hours of sun per day. They also like consistent moisture, but too much water can cause rot, especially in a container.
Watering Routine: I watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Container soil dries out faster than garden soil, so it’s important to keep an eye on moisture levels. I checked by sticking my finger a couple of inches into the soil—if it felt dry, I knew it was time to water.
Step 6: Mounding Up the Soil
One of the most unique parts of growing potatoes is “mounding” or “earthing up.” As my potato plants grew about 10-15 cm tall, I added another layer of soil around the stems, covering all but the top few leaves. This mounding encourages more tubers to grow along the buried stem, leading to a bigger harvest.
I kept doing this until the soil reached about 5 cm below the pot’s rim. Watching the plants grow taller each time I mounded them up was such a rewarding process—like seeing little green soldiers rise up!
Step 7: Waiting for Harvest Time
Growing potatoes is a bit of a waiting game, but that makes the harvest all the more exciting. Once the plants started flowering, I knew the tubers were developing below. I waited for the foliage to start turning yellow and dying back—that’s the sign that the potatoes are ready to harvest.
Patience is key here; I had to resist the urge to peek too early. Harvesting prematurely can mean tiny, underdeveloped potatoes.
Harvesting the Potatoes
The big day finally arrived! I tipped the pot gently onto a tarp and began sifting through the soil. The sight of all those little potatoes was magical—they ranged from perfect little rounds to larger spuds. I felt like I’d struck gold!
Storage Tip: Potatoes store best in a cool, dark place. I wiped off excess soil but avoided washing them, as the skins are delicate right after harvesting. They keep longer with the dirt still on and unwashed.
Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Keep Growing Potatoes in Pots
Growing potatoes in a pot turned out to be one of my favourite gardening experiences. It was simple, space-saving, and incredibly satisfying. Now, every time I harvest, it feels like digging up treasure, even though I know exactly where they are! Plus, they’re so versatile in the kitchen from roasties to mash, they add a home-grown touch to my meals.
If you’ve got a sunny spot and a decent-sized container, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a go. There’s nothing quite like the taste of home-grown potatoes, and with a little care and patience, you can enjoy the thrill of harvesting your own crop too!