German Butterball

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add German Butterball to a garden.

Velvety, golden flesh with a whisper of buttered sweetness—German Butterball delivers a richly satisfying, roast-worthy flavor and a tender, creamy texture that feels almost luminous from the first bite.

This heirloom potato forms attractive, oval tubers with warm russet-brown skins and deep, even color inside, making it a favorite for home gardeners who love dependable harvests at about 95 days. Grow it for standout pan-roasting and comforting mashes, or for hearty slices that hold their shape beautifully in rustic preparations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Clumping

Botanical illustration of German Butterball

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German Butterball Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jul 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 26th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 9th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 15th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

German Butterball’s golden, velvety interior is built for heat—roasting turns the outside crisp while the inside stays plush, not chalky. Use it for mash or gratin when you want a creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel that holds up under seasoning and dairy.

Best Uses

hot pan-roasting or oven roasting until edges go bronzed
buttery mash with a smooth, luminous texture
rustic potato gratin where slices stay creamy but not gluey
thick rounds for sheet-pan seasoning and crisping

Flavor Profile

buttered, gentle sweetness creamy, velvety flesh with tender bite golden, toasted flavor when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

unsalted butter garlic black pepper rosemary sour cream cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum tuberosum (potato) like German Butterball, and how can I manage it?

Late blight (water mold) is a major problem for potatoes, causing dark, water-soaked leaf spots that spread quickly in cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected tops as soon as you see lesions, and avoid overhead watering; use a preventive fungicide schedule if your area is prone to late blight. For less severity, keep plants spaced for airflow and keep soil hilled so tubers stay covered.

How often should I water German Butterball potato during the main growing phase?

During active tuber bulking (roughly mid-season through about 75% of the way to maturity), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Aim to water deeply after the top 1 inch of soil dries, and stop regular watering as the vines start to yellow so tubers can firm up. Consistent moisture prevents misshapen tubers; soggy soil increases rot risk.

How do I know when German Butterball potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 95 days from planting and the foliage begins to die back naturally. For “new” potatoes, you can dig earlier, but for full-size German Butterball, wait until skins are set—scrape a tuber gently with your thumb; it should not rub off easily. Choose a dry day, dig carefully, and cure the tubers for about 1–2 weeks in a cool, dark, humid place if you plan to store them.