Red Ruby

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Velvety skins in rich ruby-red set the stage for Red Ruby’s quietly luminous flesh—firm, creamy, and wonderfully smooth when cooked.

With a steady 95-day rhythm, this market-class red potato forms dependable, oval tubers that hold their character beautifully for roasting, mashing, and hearty sauces, while also shining in fresh salads for a crisp, clean bite. Grow Red Ruby for a harvest that looks as sumptuous as it tastes—an elegant red tuber with a satisfying, spoonable texture.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Red Ruby 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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Ruby’s smooth, creamy flesh is the kind of potato that mashes without going starchy-gritty and roasts up with that crisp/creamy split personality. It’s also salad-friendly because it holds shape and bite, so the dressing clings without turning the whole bowl pasty.

Best Uses

roasting with crisp edges and a creamy center
buttery mash with a glossy, lump-free finish
hearty potato-and-stock sauces that thicken without turning gluey
fresh salads where it keeps a crisp bite and doesn’t crumble

Flavor Profile

velvety, creamy interior clean, mild potato sweetness gentle earthiness smooth, spoonable texture when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream white pepper fresh dill chicken stock leeks

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Solanum tuberosum (potatoes like Red Ruby), and how do I control it?

Watch for late blight (often starts as dark, water-soaked leaf spots that spread quickly during cool, wet weather). Remove and destroy infected foliage immediately, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves dry fast. If the problem keeps appearing, apply a labeled late-blight fungicide early in the infection cycle, rotating modes per the product label to reduce resistance.

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

During active tuber bulking, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split as needed for hot spells. Don’t let beds swing dry for long periods, because uneven moisture can reduce tuber size and increase misshapen tubers. Check moisture 2–3 inches down; water when it’s drying there, but avoid waterlogging that can trigger disease.

How can I tell when Red Ruby potatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants begin to yellow and die back, typically around 95 days from planting for mature Red Ruby. For “new potatoes,” you can dig earlier once plants have flowered, but for full size wait until foliage has largely senesced. Before lifting, gently scrape soil back and check that tubers have set skins that don’t rub off easily.