// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a cultivated annual food crop grown for its edible tuber. Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family). Originally from Andes of South America. Grown as an annual in zones 3a–10a. Mature size 18"–3'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Jun–Jul.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Group: crop · annual
Origin: Andes of South America · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 3a–10a (as an annual)
Mature size: 18"–3'
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Edible parts: tuber
Harvest (NE OK): Jun–Jul
Garden role: late-winter planted tuber crop · dig before summer heat · tubers only, foliage is toxic

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) — *Solanum tuberosum* — Potato. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA ARS via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: late-winter planted tuber crop · dig before summer heat · tubers only, foliage is toxic. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, potato pairs well with: Garden Pea (Pisum sativum), Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. rugosa), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)), Wild chives (Allium schoenoprasum).