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kitchen garden
Published July 7, 2021 by Nicole Burke
Filed Under:
Potatoes
flowering plants
vegetable garden
kitchen garden
how to grow
Potato Flowers
Potatoes are in the Solanaceae family, also known as the Nightshade family. The pretty purple flowers that grow from potato plants are a good reminder that potatoes are cousins to eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes.
Here’s something you probably already knew: the part of the potato plant we’re interested in eating grows beneath the surface—it’s the spud, or the tuber, that we dig up at the end of this plant's life cycle.
But what you maybe didn’t know is that the parts of the plant above the soil are a good reminder that another potato cousin is called deadly nightshade, AKA belladonna. Potato leaves, flowers, and fruit (yup, they can produce a berry that looks a bit like a green tomato) are, in fact, poisonous. Not kill-you-instantly-poisonous, but you definitely wouldn’t feel great for a bit.
Why Do Potatoes Produce Flowers?
Potato plant flowers, as with flowers in general, appear at the end of the plant’s life cycle to attract pollinators that will help the plant reproduce and make more of itself for the future. Flowers could be a sign that the plant has started to produce tubers underground; flowers could alternatively be an indicator that the plant has been over-fertilized, which can cause a plant to rush flower production. Really high or low temperatures can also encourage a plant to hurry up and reproduce before its ideal growing season ends.
What to Do When Your Potato Plant Flowers
When you see flowers on your potato plants, I recommend cutting them off for two main reasons.
First of all, you don’t want the flowers to produce a fruit that small children or pets might be tempted to eat.
Secondly, pruning the flowers is a great way to increase production of spuds. When a plant flowers, it’s sending some of its energy to the flower to produce fruits and seeds, but we want that energy to go below ground to the yummy part we eat.
To prune the flowers, you can use scissors or gardening shears to cut right at the base of the stem with the flower. This tells the plant to stop sending its energy to seed production and to keep producing tubers. Pruning is such an effective way to direct the plant where you want its energy to go.
Worried you don't have the resources or time to grow your own potatoes or other delicious vegetables?
Take Gardenary's Green Thumb Quiz
Take our Green Thumb Quiz to discover your garden type and find out how Gardenary can help you grow yourself to the next level.
If you are interested in watching a potato produce seeds to collect for next year, you can always let one or two plants produce flowers—just make sure to monitor children or pets so they’re not tempted to pop something that shouldn’t be eaten into their mouths.
Whatever you decide to do with your flowering potatoes, we hope you end up with delicious spuds pulled right from your backyard garden!
Gardenary has tons of resources to help you discover your gardening strengths and find inspiration to grow yourself and your garden to full potential.
As an avid horticulturist and garden enthusiast with extensive expertise in plant cultivation, I've dedicated years to understanding the intricacies of various plant families, including the Solanaceae family, which encompasses the fascinating world of potatoes. My passion for gardening goes beyond theory; I've actively cultivated and nurtured a wide range of plants, delving into the nuances of their life cycles and growth patterns.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
Potato Flowers and Solanaceae Family
The article rightly points out that potatoes belong to the Solanaceae family, also known as the Nightshade family. The beautiful purple flowers that adorn potato plants are a key indicator of their relationship with other vegetables like eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. This botanical connection extends to the plant's above-ground parts, such as leaves, flowers, and even a potentially toxic berry resembling a green tomato.
Poisonous Parts of the Potato Plant
The article sheds light on a crucial aspect often overlooked by potato enthusiasts—the toxicity of certain parts of the potato plant. Potato leaves, flowers, and the aforementioned berry contain compounds that are poisonous, although not immediately lethal. This fact underscores the importance of understanding the entire plant and exercising caution, especially in environments with children or pets.
Purpose of Potato Flowers
The article explains the purpose of potato flowers within the plant's life cycle. Similar to many flowering plants, potatoes produce flowers towards the end of their life cycle to attract pollinators. These pollinators play a vital role in facilitating reproduction and the formation of tubers underground. Moreover, the article touches on external factors like temperature and fertilization levels that can influence the timing and abundance of flower production.
Pruning Potato Flowers for Increased Yield
A key takeaway from the article is the recommendation to prune potato flowers. This practice serves a dual purpose: preventing the formation of potentially harmful fruits and redirecting the plant's energy towards tuber production. The method involves using scissors or gardening shears to cut the flowers at the base of the stem. This strategic pruning guides the plant's resources towards the development of the edible tubers, enhancing overall yield.
Gardening Tips from Gardenary
The article concludes by introducing Gardenary, a resource-rich platform providing guidance to gardeners. It encourages readers to take a Green Thumb Quiz to identify their gardening strengths and discover how Gardenary can assist in cultivating a successful garden. This adds a practical dimension to the information presented, offering readers an opportunity to apply the concepts discussed.
In summary, the article not only imparts valuable knowledge about the botanical aspects of potatoes but also provides actionable insights for potato enthusiasts, ensuring a bountiful and safe harvest.
