What it is
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is in the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family. Serious storable calories from a small space. Hill soil over the stems to grow more tubers.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it even — critical at tubering, and give it loose, slightly acidic soil. Target a soil pH around 5.0–6.0. Space plants about 12 in apart. Expect roughly 70–120. Cool-season.
How it's used
Potato is used: boiled, roasted, mashed, stored.
🔎 How to identify it
- Compound leaves like tomato
- White/purple star flowers
- Tubers form on underground stems
Edibility
PartsTubers (cooked)
UsesBoiled, roasted, mashed, stored
CautionGreen tubers and all leaves/stems contain toxic solanine — never eat green parts.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.