Magic Molly

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Magic Molly to a garden.

Velvety, inky-purple skin gives way to a vivid, jewel-toned interior—Magic Molly delivers a striking color that feels almost luminous in the garden.

The flesh is creamy and smooth with a fine-grained bite, making it especially captivating when roasted for crisp edges and rich, purple-tinged tenderness. Grow this 90-day standout for show-stopping harvests and bold, gallery-worthy color in every bowl.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Magic Molly 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 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 10th – 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	90
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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Magic Molly’s interior runs creamy and fine, so it wants heat that browns the outside without drying the center. Roast it hot for crisp purple-tinged edges, then hit it with acid and fat—lemon and butter/sour cream—so the color and mellow earthiness really pop.

Best Uses

high-heat roast for crisp edges and jewel-toned tenderness
butter-poached/steam-cooked then smashed for ridged, sauce-catching texture
mashing for ultra-smooth, marble-violet mash
sheet-pan wedges where the exterior browns fast and the center stays plush

Flavor Profile

creamy, fine-grained bite mild, earthy potato savor with a faintly nutty edge inky-purple skin that stays showy and crisp when roasted silky interior that mashes smooth instead of gummy

Kitchen Pairings

black pepper lemon butter sour cream fresh dill smoked salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common disease problem for Solanum tuberosum (potatoes) like “Magic Molly,” and how can I prevent it?

Potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is a frequent, fast-moving issue on Solanum tuberosum, especially during cool, humid weather. Start with disease-free seed potatoes, plant in full sun with good spacing for airflow, and remove any yellowing or spotted foliage early. If blight appears, treat promptly with a labeled late-blight fungicide and keep leaves dry by watering at the soil line rather than overhead.

How often should I water Solanum tuberosum during the main growing phase?

During active tuber bulking (roughly mid-season through about 2–3 weeks before harvest), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid poor aeration and rot. Keep consistent moisture; irregular drying and re-wetting can reduce tuber size and quality.

How do I tell when “Magic Molly” potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 90 days from planting, when the plants’ foliage naturally yellows and dies back. Before digging, wait until the skins have set—after the tops die, leave potatoes in the ground for about 7–10 additional days so skins toughen for storage. Dig carefully and harvest on a dry day to reduce skin damage and prevent disease spread.