Red Pontiac

Potato

95d to harvest

Velvety-skinned and richly colored, Red Pontiac brings a deep rose-red coat that feels almost satin in the garden. Inside, the flesh is creamy and smooth, with a dependable, medium-firm texture that holds its shape beautifully for hearty favorites—roasting to a crisp edge, pan-browning for golden surfaces, and mashing for a silky finish. Grow it for reliable harvests around 95 days and enjoy a red potato that’s as rewarding to lift from the soil as it is to serve from the pantry.

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	May 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 15th
Harvest Begins	Aug 18th
Harvest Ends	Sep 24th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Recommended Companions

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common potato problem for Solanum tuberosum and how do I manage it in home gardens?

A frequent issue is late blight (typically shows as dark, water-soaked leaf spots that spread quickly and may follow with fuzzy growth on humid nights). Remove and destroy infected foliage immediately, then start preventive protection early using a labeled fungicide for potato/lates blight and keep plants spaced for airflow. Avoid overhead watering and water at the soil line to reduce leaf wetness.

How can I tell when to harvest Red Pontiac (Solanum tuberosum)?

Harvest at about 95 days when plants start yellowing and dying back, but avoid waiting until foliage is completely gone in wet weather. For new potatoes, you can gently dig when plants are flowering and the tubers are finger-sized; for full-size, wait for the senescence phase. Before you store them, cure harvested tubers in a cool, dark, ventilated area for about 1–2 weeks so skins toughen and minor cuts dry.