Crops › Blue Potato
How to grow Blue Potato
in the US
Sow March to April, harvest July to August. About 100 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Right, blue potatoes then. Proper crackers, these are, bringing a real splash of color to your plate. They're a Solanaceae, like tomatoes and eggplant, and I reckon they're a medium difficulty to grow, but nothing you can't handle, honestly. I've been growing them on my plot for years now, and they always bring a smile.
Sowing
You'll want to get your seed potatoes chitting a few weeks before your last frost date, you know, let them sprout a bit in a cool, light spot. Then, depending on your USDA zone, you'll be planting them out from January right through to May. Zone 3 folks might wait until May, while those in Zone 9 can get cracking in January or February. For example, Zone 6 can plant in March or April, and Zone 8 in February or March. Plant them about 4-6 inches deep (10-15 cm) and give them about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) between each one in a row. They like a good bit of space to spread out, so direct sowing is the way to go.
Growing on
Once your potato plants start to grow a bit, you'll need to 'hill up' or 'earth up' the soil around them. This protects the developing tubers from greening in the sun, which can make them bitter, and encourages them to make more spuds. Keep doing this as they grow, piling the soil up around the stems until they're a good foot (30 cm) or so high. Make sure your plot has good drainage, especially if you're growing in containers, to stop them getting waterlogged.
Looking after it
These blue beauties want full sun to get that cracking skin color, so no shade for them, like. Keep the water consistent, especially when the tubers are forming, to stop them cracking. No one wants a cracked potato, do they? Companion planting with things like yarrow, beans, and calendula can help keep things healthy on the plot, too, and encourage beneficial insects.
What goes wrong
Watch out for the Colorado Potato Beetle; they can be a nuisance, munching on the leaves and making a mess. Hand-pick them off if you see them, and check under the leaves for their eggs. Slugs can be a bother too, especially if it's a bit damp after some rain. Just keep an eye out, you know, check under the leaves every now and then for any signs of trouble.
Harvest
After about 100 days from planting, usually August or September for me, the foliage will start to yellow and die back. That's your sign. Carefully dig them up with a fork, being careful not to stab them. Let them dry on the soil surface for a few hours, then brush off the dirt. They store moderately well, but purples might get a bit softer faster than your average russet, so eat them up!
I always make sure to give my potato patch a good thick layer of compost before planting. Gives them a proper head start, that does, and helps hold the moisture in, especially when the weather turns dry.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| All Blue Deep blue skin and flesh; holds color well when cooked, making for a striking plate. This is a classic choice for anyone wanting a truly blue potato that keeps its vibrant hue after a good boil or roast. | No club votes yet |
| Purple Majesty Rich purple flesh that's high in antioxidants, offering both health benefits and a lovely color. A great pick if you're looking for a nutritious spud with a deep, appealing hue. | No club votes yet |
| Adirondack Blue Unique blue flesh with a moist texture, making it versatile for many culinary uses. It's a reliable performer that brings a bit of novelty to your harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Magic Molly Dark purple gourmet potato with an earthy flavor that's a real treat. This one's for the foodies out there, really brings something special to the plate. | No club votes yet |
| Viking Purple Purple-skinned with white flesh, offering a striking contrast when sliced open. If you want a potato that looks cracking but still has that familiar white interior, this is your spud. | No club votes yet |
| Blue Tomcat A rare variety with mottled blue skin, making each tuber a unique piece of art. If you're after something a bit different, maybe for a show, this one's a stunner. | No club votes yet |
| Purple Peruvian Long purple tubers that are particularly well-suited to roasting, holding their shape and color beautifully. It's a proper hardy one that really shines when cooked with a bit of oil. | No club votes yet |
| Sapphire Deep blue color with a smooth texture, perfect for a vibrant mash or an eye-catching side dish. This one's a solid choice if you want consistent color and a lovely feel in your mouth. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Blue Potato seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May | September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 5 | April | August |
| Zone 6 | March to April | July to August |
| Zone 7 | March | July to August |
| Zone 8 | February to March | June to July |
| Zone 9 | January to February | June |
| Zone 10 | March to April | August to September |
Cook the harvest
Crispy cubed blue potatoes seasoned with cumin and chile powder stuffed into warm corn tortillas with avocado crema, pickled jalapeño, and shredded cabbage. The potatoes turn a deep indigo during roasting — a visually wild taco filling that's completely meat-free and completely satisfying.
40 min · easyA stunning breakfast hash of crushed blue potatoes crisped in a cast-iron skillet with caramelized onions, roasted red pepper, and smoked paprika. Topped with a perfectly fried egg, this is a weeknight dinner or weekend brunch that gets its colour from the potato and its depth from the cast-iron char.
35 min · easyA startlingly beautiful velvety soup made entirely from blue potatoes blended with vegetable broth, sautéed shallots, and a touch of white wine. The colour is a deep slate-violet that holds through blending. A swirl of bright green chive oil on top creates a dramatic contrast that will silence any dinner table.
35 min · easyA striking frittata layered with roasted blue potato slices and silky braised leeks, bound by a light egg custard and finished with goat cheese. The potato's deep violet colour bleeds beautifully into the egg, creating a unique purple-marbled appearance. Equally good warm from the skillet or at room temperature the next day.
45 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Yarrow, Beans, Calendula
Questions people ask
When do you sow Blue Potato in the US?
Sow Blue Potato from March to April in zone 6, earlier or later by zone.
How long does Blue Potato take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 100 days, with the harvest July to August.
Which Blue Potato varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for All Blue, Purple Majesty, Adirondack Blue, Magic Molly and more.
Track your Blue Potato from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.