Can I Grow Potato Plants From Sprouted Potatoes?

Potato plants grow from sprouted potatoes.

Potatoes can make up a significant portion of the human diet and are relatively easy to grow in a many areas. Gardeners can grow potato plants from sprouted potatoes.

Considerations

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension warns that grocery store potatoes may be spayed to prevent sprouting, but that nurseries and other garden suppliers sell seed potatoes. To get potatoes to start sprouting, Central Texas Gardener suggests leaving potatoes in a warm and sunny area.

Preparation

When potatoes start sprouting, they are ready to grow into new potato plants. According to the University of Illinois Extension, gardeners can plant the whole sprouting potatoes or cut pieces of potatoes that each have at least one "eye."

Size

Although each potato piece or whole potato only needs to have one small sprout to grow into a new potato plant, gardeners should avoid planting very small seed pieces. The University of Illinois Extension recommends planting sprouted potato pieces that weigh at least 1.5 ounces.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Potato
• University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Potato Facts
• KLRU TV Central Texas Gardener: Potato Planting