GardenHow to grow potato
आलू. When to sow it in each part of India, how deep, how far apart, what size of pot, and what to watch for.
When to sow
North and central plainsOctober and November
South and coastal IndiaOctober and November
HillsMarch and April
Green months are the usual sowing or planting time. Dates shift by a few weeks from place to place.
How to sow and grow
- Method
- Plant small sprouted tubers, or pieces with two or three "eyes", sprouts facing up.
- Depth
- 8 to 10 cm
- Spacing
- 25 to 30 cm apart
- In a pot
- A grow bag or sack of 40 litres, filled one-third at planting
- Sprouts in
- 10 to 20 days
- Harvest
- 75 to 120 days
- Sun
- Full sun: at least 6 hours a day
Tips from the garden
- In a grow bag, start with soil one-third of the way up. As the shoots grow, keep adding soil around the stems until the bag is full. Tubers form along the buried stems.
- Harvest when the plants yellow and die back. For a few early "new potatoes", feel around in the soil after the plants flower.
- Potatoes exposed to light turn green and should not be eaten. Keep them covered with soil.
What can go wrong
Brown patches that spread fast on the leaves in cool, damp weather are late blight. Remove affected leaves at once and avoid wetting the foliage.
Sown around the same time
New to growing from seed? Read how to sow seeds and the balcony and terrace garden guide.
Questions people ask
When is potato sown in north India?
In the plains of north and central India, the usual sowing or planting months for potato are October and November.
How long does potato take to grow?
Usually 75 to 120 days.
Can potato be grown in a pot?
Yes. A grow bag or sack of 40 litres, filled one-third at planting.