Greenhouse Growing: Potatoes

A pile of potatoes that have been picked off a potato plant.

Growing potatoes in pots or containers is a great way to enjoy the versatility and high yield of this popular vegetable, even if you don't have a lot of space in your garden.

Popular Homegrown Potato Varieties

As a nation of potato lovers, we have a wide selection of seed potato's available to us that we can grow ourselves at home. Here are some of the most popular potato varieties that are well-suited for growing in pots and containers in the UK climate, whether in the greenhouse or out in the garden.

We'll be listing them in two sections, one for first early potato seeds (plant in March to harvest in June), and then main crop potato seeds (plant in April to harvest around September-October). Planting one from each, a first early crop and then later on in the year a main crop variety allows you to benefit from being able to harvest potatoes for up to a 6-month period. And the best part is, you can prep and freeze any excess to use throughout the other 6 months...that's free potatoes for the whole year!

First Early Seed Potatoes
Normally planted mid-March to harvest in June.

Sharpe's Express
Duke of York
Red Duke of York (Red Skinned)
Premiere
Pentland Javelin
Foremost

Main Crop Seed Potatoes
Normally planted mid-April to harvest between August-October.

Setanta
Maris Piper
King Edward VII
Rooster (Red Skinned)
Caledonian Rose (Red Skinned)
Marvel

By choosing a variety of potato that is well-suited for growing in pots and containers, you can enjoy a bounty of fresh potatoes right from your own garden or greenhouse.

Step-by-Step Guide to Optimal Potato Growing

Here's our simple yet practical guide on how to grow potato plants in pots from seed inside a greenhouse:

Choose a good potting mix. Potatoes need well-draining soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. A good potting mix for potatoes should contain a blend of peat moss, compost, and vermiculite or perlite.
Choose the right potatoes. For best results, choose seed potatoes that are certified disease-free and specifically grown for planting. Avoid using potatoes from the grocery store, as they may be treated with chemicals that can inhibit growth.
Start your potato seeds indoors. About 6-8 weeks before the last frost, fill a seed tray or pots with the potting mix and plant your seed potatoes about 1 inch deep. Keep the soil moist and place the tray or pots in a sunny spot inside your greenhouse.
Transplant the seedlings. When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, transplant them into larger pots or containers. Fill the pots with potting mix and plant the seedlings about 6 inches deep, leaving about 8-12 inches between each plant.
Care for your potato plants. Water your potato plants regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Fertilise your plants every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser. If you are growing your potatoes in pots, you may need to support the plant leaves with stakes or cages to keep them upright as they grow.
Harvest your potatoes. Potatoes are usually ready to harvest about 10-12 weeks after planting. To harvest, gently lift the plants out of the pots and sort through the soil to find the potatoes. Store your potatoes in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use them.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow potato plants in pots from seed inside a greenhouse and enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh potatoes.

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Greenhouse Growing: Potatoes