Solanum tuberosum – Potato

Explore Solanum tuberosum (Potato) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Solanum tuberosum | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Potato

Family: Solanaceae

Appearance: A herbaceous perennial cultivated as an annual, with erect to sprawling stems, compound green leaves, and clusters of white, pink, or purple star-shaped flowers with yellow centers. Produces underground tubers, which are the edible portion, and small green berry-like fruits that are toxic.

Type: Perennial (cultivated as an annual)

Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A

Layer: Root / Groundcover

Root System: Fibrous roots with underground stolons that develop tubers

Height: 0.4–1 m

Width: 0.3–0.6 m

Lifespan: Perennial but generally grown for one season

Growth Rate: Fast

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Hermaphroditic

Pollinator: Bees and other insects (though tubers are the main crop, not seeds)

Toxicity: Leaves, stems, and unripe fruits contain solanine and are toxic; greened tubers also toxic if consumed in quantity

Solanum tuberosum | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

• Native Range: Andes region of South America, particularly modern-day Peru and Bolivia

• Companionship: Grows well with beans, cabbage, and corn; avoid planting near tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants due to shared pests and diseases

• Invasive Range: Widely cultivated globally, not considered invasive

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3–10 (grown as an annual crop)

• Minimum Chill Hours Required: None

Resistance/Tolerance

• Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance but yields best in fertile soils

• Drought: Low tolerance – requires consistent moisture for tuber development

• Shade: Low tolerance – needs full sun

• Flood: Low tolerance – prone to rot in waterlogged soils

• Wind: Moderate tolerance

• Maritime: Moderate tolerance in cooler coastal regions

• Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance

• Fire: Low tolerance

Thriving Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Moisture: Consistently moist, not waterlogged

• Soil Type: Loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.0–6.5 preferred)

Propagation

• Seeds: True potato seed exists but rarely used for cultivation

• Division: Primary method; propagated by planting tuber pieces (“seed potatoes”) with at least one eye

Solanum tuberosum | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Tubers consumed worldwide; cooked, fried, or processed into flour, starch, and alcohol; high in carbohydrates, vitamin C, and potassium

Medicinal: Traditionally used for soothing burns, inflammation, and digestive issues; potato starch used in some remedies

Cosmetics: Potato extracts used for skin soothing and lightening in traditional applications

Animal Feed: Tubers and peelings (cooked or raw with caution) fed to livestock; green tubers unsuitable

Fiber: Not used

Timber: Not applicable

Firewood: Not applicable

Wind Break: Not suitable

Fence: Not suitable

Cover Crop: No

Mulch: No

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No confirmed data

Pollinator Attractor: Yes – flowers attract bees and insects

Pest Repellent: No significant pest-repelling traits

Wildlife Supporter: Flowers provide nectar

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