Blue Potato

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety, slate-blue skin gives way to a vivid, electric-blue interior that’s as striking as it is satisfying—an eye-catching harvest that turns every basket into a keepsake.

Blue Potato forms sturdy, medium-to-large tubers with a smooth, well-set shape and a firm, creamy bite when cooked, making it ideal for roasting, mashing, and strikingly colorful sides and spreads. Grow it for the drama: deep color, dependable performance, and a distinctive look that elevates any table.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This blue-fleshed potato cooks up with a satisfying creamy bite and a color that doesn’t just disappear—it lingers in the mash and roast interior. Use it where you want texture contrast (crisp edges, creamy core) and where the blue interior can steal the plate.

Best Uses

roasting to get crisp edges while keeping a creamy center
mashing or whipping for a vivid blue mash that stays smooth
pan-frying into brown, crunchy-skirted slices
baking and splitting for showy toppings (butter, sour cream, herbs)

Flavor Profile

earthy, potato-starchy sweetness firm-creamy interior that holds its shape when cooked low-to-mid water, with a plush mashability

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream garlic black pepper rosemary lemon zest

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my blue potato plants get late blight or leaf spot?

Late blight often starts as irregular, water-soaked spots with a grayish growth on leaf undersides, spreading fast in cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected leaves (don’t compost), improve airflow by spacing plants well, and if the problem is active apply a labeled potato fungicide early and repeat according to the label—especially after rainy periods. Leaf spot is usually more localized; prune off affected foliage and avoid wetting leaves when watering.

How often should I water blue potatoes during the main growing phase?

During tuber set and bulking (about weeks 4–10 after planting), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for watering whenever the top 1–2 inches feel dry. A typical home schedule is every 3–5 days depending on heat and rainfall, giving enough water to wet the root zone (about 6–8 inches deep). Stop heavy watering about 10–14 days before harvest so skins set and tubers store better.

How can I tell when blue potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest “new” potatoes at about 60 days, but for full maturity wait around 90 days when plants start yellowing and dying back. Gently dig one hill first—ready potatoes have skins that won’t rub off easily and tubers feel firm and well-sized for the variety. Harvest on a dry day, cure them (keep in a cool, dark place) for about 7–10 days before storage.