Purple Viking

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety skins in rich violet—often with a faintly mottled, inkblot pattern—set Purple Viking apart from the moment you lift the harvest.

The flesh is a dramatic royal purple that stays vibrant after cooking, with a creamy, fine-grained texture and a pleasantly earthy, nutty depth. Grow it for show-stopping roasted wedges, velvety mash, and striking slices for salads, bowls, and vivid purple sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 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 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple Viking’s creamy, fine-grained flesh turns into a smooth, velvety mash without getting gluey, and it keeps that royal purple through roasting and simmering. It’s built for bold heat—crisp edges, buttery interiors, and an earthy/nutty backbone that plays well with smoke, garlic, and sharp dairy.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with crisp edges and a purple, creamy interior
velvety mash (pass-through for butter and milk)
thin slices for hot bowls where the color pops
striking purple potato purée for vivid sauces

Flavor Profile

creamy, fine-grained bite earthy, nutty depth slightly sweet violet-tinged character stays vividly colored after heat

Kitchen Pairings

smoked pork garlic black pepper butter sour cream caramelized onions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage late blight on Solanum tuberosum (potatoes) if leaves start turning dark or water-soaked?

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) often starts with dark, irregular leaf spots and can quickly progress in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard infected tops immediately (do not compost) and ensure plants are well spaced for airflow. If conditions are favorable for spread, use a potato-appropriate protective fungicide according to the label, focusing on repeat applications during wet spells.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Solanum tuberosum to keep tubers healthy without rotting?

Water so the soil stays evenly moist to about 6–8 inches deep, aiming for roughly 1 inch of water per week total from rain plus irrigation. Water more steadily after plants emerge and during tuber set, but avoid soggy conditions—let the top few inches dry slightly between waterings to reduce tuber rot. Maintain consistent moisture during bulking; irregular soaking can lead to misshapen tubers.

What are the signs that Solanum tuberosum is ready to harvest (Purple Viking, ~95 days)?

Begin checking at about 95 days: the plants should look mostly mature with foliage fading and yellowing. For “new potatoes,” you can harvest earlier when tubers are finger-sized, but for full maturity wait until the vines have largely died back. Carefully dig one hill to confirm tuber skins are firm and not easily rubbed off before harvesting the rest.