So, you've been tending to your potato plants, maybe with a mix of excitement and a little bit of hopeful curiosity. Then, you notice something... different. What exactly is growing on your potatoes? It's a question that pops up for many gardeners, and the answer usually boils down to a few key things, all part of the potato's natural life cycle and the care you're giving them.
First off, the most common 'growth' you'll see is, well, more potatoes! As your potato plant matures, it's busy underground creating those delicious tubers we love. The part you see above ground – the stems and leaves – are essentially the plant's way of gathering energy from the sun to fuel this underground production. So, when you see those plants looking lush and green, know that the real magic is happening beneath the soil.
But what if you're seeing sprouts on the potatoes themselves, perhaps before you've even planted them, or on potatoes you've stored? Those are called 'eyes,' and they are the potato's natural growth buds. If a potato is kept in a warm, bright place for too long, these eyes will start to sprout, reaching out for light and moisture. It's a sign the potato is still alive and trying to grow a new plant. While these sprouts are perfectly natural, it's generally best to remove them before cooking, as they can sometimes develop a bitter taste and, if they've turned green, a bit of solanine, which isn't ideal in large quantities.
Speaking of green, if you notice your potatoes turning green, that's a different story. This happens when potatoes are exposed to sunlight. The green color indicates the development of solanine, a natural toxin. It's why we 'hill' our potato plants – that's the process of mounding soil or mulch around the stems as they grow. This keeps the developing tubers covered and prevents them from seeing the sun. If you find a potato with a small green patch, you can usually just cut that part away. For larger green areas, it's often best to discard the potato.
Sometimes, gardeners might worry about fungal growth or signs of disease. Healthy potato plants, grown in well-drained soil with consistent watering and good air circulation, are less susceptible. Issues like blight can appear as spots on leaves or stems, and scab can show up as rough, corky patches on the tubers themselves. The best defense is good practice: choose disease-resistant varieties, prepare your soil well with organic matter, avoid planting store-bought potatoes (which might carry diseases), and practice crop rotation. If you're ever unsure, a quick photo and a chat with your local garden center can often provide peace of mind.
Ultimately, what's growing on your potatoes is usually just the plant doing its thing – either producing more tubers underground, sprouting from its stored energy, or, in the case of greening, reacting to its environment. Understanding these natural processes helps you become a more confident and successful potato grower.
