Heirloom

German Butterball Potato

Solanum tuberosum 'German Butterball'

An outstanding heirloom potato variety that delivers incredibly rich, buttery flavor in smooth-textured yellow flesh. This late-season variety produces excellent yields of medium-sized tubers with buff-colored skin and stores exceptionally well through winter. German Butterball is considered one of the best-tasting potatoes available to home gardeners.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

so-LAN-num too-ber-OH-sum

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for German Butterball Potato in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

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German Butterball Potato · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilDeep, loose, well-drained soil with high organic matter

pH5.0-6.5

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture during tuber development

SeasonCool to warm season

FlavorRich, buttery flavor with dense, creamy texture

ColorBuff/tan skin with deep yellow flesh

Size3-4 inches long, medium-sized

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	August – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	July – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	July – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	July – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	June – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	May – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	May – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: so-LAN-num too-ber-OH-sum. Soil: High Organic Matter, Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Potato plants will sometimes produce a round, smooth, yellowish-green to a green berry that is 0.5 inches in diameter and is filled with many seeds. EXTREMELY TOXIC, DO NOT EAT.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: The tubers are edible but discard sprouts and never eat tubers if they look spoiled or green below the skin. All the green parts of the plant contain a toxin known as solanine and should not be ingested. Potatoes can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place for three to four months. Potato tubers can be boiled, baked, fried, or roasted as a vegetable. They may also be processed to produce potato flour. potato chips, vodka, and schnapps.

Storage & Preservation

German Butterball potatoes excel at long-term storage when properly cured. After harvest, cure tubers in a dark, well-ventilated area at 60-65°F for 10-14 days to toughen skins. Then store in a cool (35-40°F), dark, humid environment with good air circulation. Properly stored German Butterballs maintain their quality for 6-8 months, making them exceptional winter keepers.

For preservation, their dense, buttery flesh makes them ideal for dehydrating into potato flakes or vacuum-sealing blanched chunks for freezing. Their low moisture content prevents mushiness when frozen. You can also pressure-can diced German Butterballs in chunks for soups and stews. Avoid refrigerating fresh potatoes, as cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, creating an overly sweet taste and causing browning when cooked.

History & Origin

Origin: South America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Rabbits
+Attracts: Bees
+Wildlife value: The flowers are pollinated by insects and bumblebees.

Considerations

-Toxic (Fruits, Leaves, Roots, Stems): High severity

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel Colorado potato beetles and nematodes, natural pest deterrent

Bush Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with potato tubers

Chives

Repel aphids and may improve potato flavor and growth

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for Colorado potato beetles and aphids

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for root space

Radishes

Break up soil for potato growth and mature before potatoes need space

Lettuce

Shallow roots don't interfere with tubers, harvest before potatoes expand

Cilantro

Attracts beneficial insects and repels harmful pests

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Both are nightshades sharing diseases like blight and attracting same pests

Sunflowers

Allelopathic effects inhibit potato growth and compete heavily for nutrients

Cucumbers

Compete for water and nutrients, may increase disease susceptibility

Nutrition Facts

Calories

41kcal(2%)

Protein

0.93g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

9.58g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

5.9mg(7%)

Vitamin A

835mcg(93%)

Vitamin K

13.2mcg(11%)

Iron

0.3mg(2%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

320mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170393)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate disease resistance, typical of heirloom varieties

Common Pests

Colorado potato beetle, aphids, potato tuberworm

Diseases

Late blight, early blight, potato scab

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does German Butterball potato take to grow?▼

German Butterball potatoes require 100-110 days to reach full maturity, making them a late-season variety. This extended growing period is essential for developing their signature buttery flavor and dense texture. Plan to plant 2-3 weeks before your last frost date and harvest in late summer or early fall when foliage completely dies back naturally.

Can you grow German Butterball potatoes in containers?▼

Yes, but choose large containers at least 20 gallons with drainage holes. Use a loose, well-draining potting mix and plant one seed potato per container. The key is consistent hilling—add soil or compost every 2-3 weeks as shoots grow. Container growing works well for this variety since you can easily control soil conditions and harvesting is simpler.

What does German Butterball potato taste like?▼

German Butterball potatoes have an incredibly rich, buttery flavor with a dense, creamy texture that's almost custard-like when cooked. The flesh is deep yellow and becomes more flavorful with storage time. They're significantly more flavorful than standard grocery store potatoes, with a naturally sweet, nutty undertone that makes them excellent for gourmet cooking applications.

Is German Butterball potato good for beginners?▼

German Butterball requires moderate gardening skills due to its long growing season, regular hilling requirements, and need for consistent care. Beginning gardeners should start with earlier, more forgiving varieties first. However, if you're committed to proper soil preparation and regular maintenance, the exceptional flavor and storage quality make the extra effort worthwhile.

When should I plant German Butterball potatoes?▼

Plant German Butterball potatoes when soil temperature consistently reaches 45°F, typically 2-3 weeks before your last frost date. In most temperate zones, this falls in early to mid-spring. The key is ensuring you have a full 100-110 frost-free days ahead, so count backwards from your first expected fall frost to determine the latest safe planting date.

German Butterball vs Yukon Gold potato—what's the difference?▼

German Butterball is an heirloom variety with deeper, more complex buttery flavor and superior storage life (6-8 months vs 2-3 months for Yukon Gold). German Butterball takes 100-110 days to mature compared to Yukon Gold's 80-90 days, but the extended season produces denser flesh with richer taste. Yukon Gold offers more reliable disease resistance and easier cultivation for beginners.