Viking Purple

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Viking Purple to a garden.

Viking Purple delivers a dramatic, velvety purple skin that hints at the rich color within—earthy and deeply satisfying with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

The flesh is tender and creamy when cooked, with a smooth, fine-grained texture that holds its character beautifully for hearty meals. Grow Viking Purple for standout color in the garden and a striking presence on the plate, whether roasted to caramel-brown edges or mashed into silky purple comfort.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Upright

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Viking Purple 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	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Viking Purple cooks up tender and creamy with a smooth, fine-grained bite—its flavor lands earthy and nutty with a whisper of sweetness. It also keeps that striking color through roasting or mashing, so it’s a potato you actually want to serve on purpose, not hide.

Best Uses

roast for caramel-brown edges and creamy centers
mash for a smooth, purple “comfort” texture
boil-and-dress warm potato salad with bold vinaigrette
pan-sear or griddle until crisp outside, tender inside

Flavor Profile

nutty, lightly sweet earthiness velvety, fine-grained creamy flesh potato-meaty body that turns silky when cooked holds color well under heat

Kitchen Pairings

butter sour cream chives smoked paprika black pepper Parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What common pest or disease affects Solanum tuberosum (potato) most, and how do I treat it?

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is a frequent, fast-moving issue on potatoes, especially after cool, wet weather. Remove and discard any plants with brown, water-soaked leaf spots or rapidly collapsing foliage, then prevent spread by applying a labeled late-blight protectant and keeping plants evenly spaced for airflow. If you spot leaf damage early, reapply according to the product label, since new growth can quickly become infected.

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

After plants emerge and start building vines, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, typically about 1–1.5 inches of water per week depending on your weather. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil begins to dry, because uneven moisture can lead to misshapen tubers. Avoid soaking the foliage late in the day—use soil-level watering to reduce disease pressure.

How do I know when Solanum tuberosum (potato) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the plants’ foliage yellows and dies back naturally and the tuber skins feel firm and “set” (about 95 days from planting for this variety’s maturity window). For new potatoes you can dig earlier, but for best skin set wait until the tops fully die down. Gently dig one hill first to check size and skin firmness before harvesting the rest.