Annual vegetable
Potato plant profile
Solanum tuberosum
An annual vegetable for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Potato
Direct sow
3 weeks before your last spring frost to 2 weeks before your last spring frost
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- 1 in / week
- Planting depth
- 4 in
- Soil pH
- 6 to 6.5
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Spacing
- 10 to 12 in apart, rows 30 in
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: hollow heart, tuber greening.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Growing potatoes in home gardens
University of Minnesota Extension. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-11.
- How to Grow Potatoes in Your Garden
Utah State University Extension. Supports direct-sowing timing (direct). Checked 2026-06-11.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Nightshade (Solanum species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.