How to Grow Potatoes in Containers
Grow potatoes in a large pot or sack by half-filling it with compost, planting seed potatoes and adding more compost as shoots grow. Harvest when flowers fade.
Quick answer
Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot for two to three weeks until sprouts appear. Fill a 30-litre pot or sack with 15 centimetres of multi-purpose compost. Plant two or three seed potatoes with sprouts facing up. Cover with more compost. Water when the top layer dries. As green shoots emerge, add compost in layers until the container is full. Feed with liquid feed every two weeks. Harvest once flowers open and begin to fade.
Container growing saves space and makes harvesting easy. You do not need a garden bed. A deep pot or old compost sack on a patio or balcony works perfectly.
What you’ll need
- large pot or sack (30L+)
- seed potatoes
- multi-purpose compost
- water
- liquid feed
- straw or cardboard (optional)
Step by step
- 1
Chit the seed potatoes
Lay seed potatoes in an egg box or shallow tray with the blunt end up. Keep them in a cool, frost-free place with some light. Wait for short, sturdy sprouts to appear. This takes two to three weeks.
- 2
Prepare the container
Choose a pot or sack at least 30 litres deep. Punch drainage holes if needed. Place a few centimetres of broken crockery, gravel or straw at the bottom to aid drainage.
- 3
Plant the potatoes
Fill the container with 15 centimetres of multi-purpose compost. Press two or three chitted seed potatoes into the compost with sprouts facing upward. Space them evenly.
- 4
Cover and water
Add another 10 centimetres of compost to cover the potatoes. Water gently until the compost is moist but not soggy.
- 5
Earth up as shoots grow
When green shoots reach 10 to 15 centimetres tall, add more compost around them, leaving just the top leaves exposed. Repeat this process until the container is nearly full. This prevents green potatoes.
- 6
Feed and water regularly
Water when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry. Apply a balanced liquid feed every two weeks once flowering starts.
- 7
Harvest
Wait until flowers open and start to wither. Tip the container onto a tarpaulin and sift through the compost for potatoes. Brush off soil and let them dry before storing.
Never eat potatoes that have turned green. Green skin contains solanine, a natural toxin that causes stomach upset. Keep tubers covered with compost or straw at all times.
Common mistakes
- Using supermarket potatoes instead of certified seed potatoes, which can carry disease
- Overwatering and causing tubers to rot
- Letting sunlight reach developing potatoes, which turns them green
- Harvesting too early before tubers have sized up
Frequently asked
Can I grow potatoes in a plastic bin?
Yes. Drill several drainage holes in the base. A 30 to 40 litre bin works well for two or three plants.
How do I stop the container from drying out?
Water deeply rather than lightly. In hot weather, check the compost daily. A layer of straw on top helps retain moisture.
Do I need to chit the potatoes first?
Chitting is not essential, but it gives the plants a head start and usually produces a bigger crop.
Can I re-use the compost afterwards?
You can spread it on garden beds, but do not use it for another potato crop. It may harbour pests and diseases specific to potatoes.
Questions about this guide
No questions yet — be the first to ask one and we’ll help you out.
Comments
No comments yet. Start the conversation.
Did this guide help?
Did you try this?
Help others by sharing how it went.
Show your result
Tried this guide? Share a photo of how it turned out.