Every gardener, whether a beginner or an expert, loves growing potatoes. Because, well, don’t we all love eating potatoes? But what if you don’t have a garden? You can still grow this versatile root vegetable! Container gardening makes it possible to grow potatoes in containers! In this guide, I will walk you through the simple process of growing potatoes in containers.
Why Grow Potatoes in Containers?
Container gardening is ideal for those short on space or lacking a garden. You can place your containers on your balcony, along the driveway, or anywhere with adequate sunlight. As long as the location receives good sunshine throughout the day, you’re good to go!
Here’s why growing potatoes in containers is a great idea:
- Space Efficiency: Perfect for small spaces. Place containers on balconies, patios, or even inside a greenhouse.
- Ease of Maintenance: Growing potatoes in containers is a simple process. You just need to plant and water regularly.
- Protection from Weather: Containers are easier to protect from frost and hail, which allows for earlier planting in the spring.
- Pest Control: Potatoes in containers are less vulnerable to pests.
- Faster Growth: Plants typically grow faster in containers. Harvesting is also easier than with conventionally grown potatoes.
- Indoor Gardening: You can even grow potatoes indoors or in a greenhouse during late autumn or winter, with a growing period of 70-90 days, giving you fresh potatoes early in the spring.
- Superior Taste and Nutrition: Homegrown potatoes are richer in flavor and nutritional value compared to store-bought varieties.
- Health Benefits: Potatoes might have a bad reputation because of their high glycemic index, however, they are packed with vitamins, fiber and antioxidants and are great for digestive health too.
How to Grow Potatoes in Containers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Container gardening is a great way to grow potatoes, even if you’re new to gardening. Here’s how to do it right!
1. Pick the Right Container
Potatoes grow well in many different types of containers, but they should be at least 2-3 feet tall and have a 10-15 gallon capacity. Larger containers may make watering difficult. Some suitable container options include garbage bins, wooden half barrels, chimney flues, canvas bags, or plastic tubs. Special potato bags with side windows for harvesting are also a great choice.
2. Choose High-Quality Potting Soil
Potatoes need fast-draining, high-quality potting soil. If you plan to use plastic containers, mix the potting soil with compost (1:1 ratio). Garden soil can also be used, but it’s less ideal since it doesn’t drain well and may contain weed seeds.
3. Add Fertilizer
To support healthy growth, mix an organic, slow-release fertilizer with your potting soil. Since you’ll be watering more frequently in containers, nutrients can leach out, so it’s recommended to fertilize every two weeks with a high-phosphorus organic fertilizer.
4. Prepare the Seed Potatoes
You can plant seed potatoes in three ways:
- Plant seeds immediately after buying them (takes longer to grow).
- Wait for the seed potatoes to sprout before planting.
- Cut larger potatoes into pieces and place them into the soil, ensuring each piece has at least two “eyes” (growth nodes).
5. Plant the Seed Potatoes
Fill your container with a few inches of soil, then position the seed potatoes (or pieces) with the eye buds or sprouts facing up.
Cover with 2-4 inches of soil. Don’t fill the container all the way to the top—leave space to add more soil later.
For a 20-inch wide container, plant no more than 3-4 seeds to give them room to grow. Place the container in a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
6. Water the Potatoes Regularly
Potatoes need moist soil but not standing water. Ensure your containers have drainage holes and use well-draining potting soil.
Water deeply until water runs out of the bottom of the pot. During hot weather, you may need to water daily.
Check soil moisture by inserting your finger into the first 1-2 inches—if dry, water generously.
7. Hill the Potatoes
Unlike garden-grown potatoes, container plants benefit from “hilling”—the process of adding more soil around the growing plants. When the plant reaches 6-8 inches in height, add 2 more inches of soil. Repeat this process every two weeks, keeping about 6 inches of the plant above the soil. This encourages more potato production and ensures a healthy harvest.
8. Harvest the Potatoes
Once the plants start blooming, you can begin harvesting fresh potatoes. Carefully dig around the plants, twisting and pulling the mature potatoes. Leave the smaller potatoes to grow longer. When the plants turn yellow, stop watering. After a week, it’s time to harvest the remaining potatoes. Simply tip the container over and collect your harvest. Wipe them clean but avoid washing them until ready to use.
If you notice greenish potatoes, discard them or cut off the green parts. The green color indicates solanine, a toxic substance that can cause digestive upset if consumed.
How to Store Potatoes for Months
You can store potatoes in ventilated bags, baskets or bins like mesh bags, paper bags, or perforated bins and baskets for storage. Avoid plastic bags and containers without holes in them. This is because, like all vegetables, potatoes need airflow to prevent moisture buildup and mold.
So, pack your precious potatoes into the container you chose and then place them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area, like a pantry or cellar. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight.
Also, you want to avoid storing the potatoes in the fridge, as cold temperatures can cause the starch to turn into sugar, affecting taste and texture.
Another option to store potatoes for a really long time is to fill a container with sand, sawdust or wood shavings and layer your potatoes in it. Make sure the individual vegetables don’t touch. Store the container in a cool, dry location.
I hope you learned something new and get a huge harvest of delicious potatoes!
I have never grown container potatoes. I have a 15 inch diameter & 19 inch depth food grade plastic bucket, which has an 8 gallon capacity.. If I understand the planting instructions correctly, I start with 2 inches soil, then add my seed potatoes (probably 3 pieces with eyes) and cover them with a further 2 inches of soil and water. Place in a sunny spot (at let 6 hours of sun per day) and water daily. Once the plants are 6 to 8 inches high, add 2 inches more soil, water daily, and repeat until plants are 6-8 inches high again. Do I understand correctly? Also, I assume that the bucket should have drainage holes in the bottom?
Yes, and yes to drainage holes