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Pontiac Red Potato

Solanum tuberosum 'Pontiac'

A reliable mid-season potato variety beloved for its attractive red skin and pure white flesh that holds its shape beautifully when cooked. Pontiac produces excellent yields of medium to large tubers and shows good resistance to common potato diseases. This versatile variety is perfect for boiling, baking, and making colorful potato salads.

Harvest

80-95d

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 Pontiac Red Potato in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 root-vegetable →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Pontiac Red Potato · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilLoose, well-drained soil with good organic matter

pH5.0-6.0

Water1-2 inches per week, reduce watering 2 weeks before harvest

SeasonCool to warm season

FlavorMild, earthy flavor with creamy texture

ColorRed skin with white flesh

Size3-5 inches long, medium to large

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

Cure freshly harvested Pontiac potatoes in a dark, humid location (85-90% humidity) at 60-65°F for 7-10 days to toughen skins and heal minor cuts. After curing, store in a cool (38-40°F), dark place with good ventilation – a basement, root cellar, or unheated garage works well. Properly stored Pontiac potatoes keep 4-6 months, checking monthly and removing any that show soft spots or sprouting. Never refrigerate raw potatoes as cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, creating an unpleasant sweet taste. For preservation, Pontiac's firm texture makes it excellent for freezing after blanching and cubing, though the texture becomes softer. Dehydrate thin slices for potato chips or powder, or pressure-can cubed potatoes in water for convenient meal additions. The attractive red skin also makes Pontiac ideal for fermenting into colorful pickled potatoes using a basic brine solution.

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

Marigold

Repels Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for Colorado potato beetles and aphids, deters cucumber beetles

Chives

Repels aphids and may improve potato flavor and growth

Garlic

Deters Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and fungal diseases

Bush Beans

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

Cabbage

Benefits from potato's pest-repelling properties while not competing for nutrients

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on potato pests

Lettuce

Uses different soil nutrients and harvests before potatoes need full space

Keep Apart

Tomato

Both are nightshades susceptible to same diseases like blight and attract Colorado potato beetles

Sunflower

Allelopathic effects inhibit potato growth and competes heavily for nutrients

Walnut Tree

Produces juglone which is toxic to potatoes and inhibits their growth

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

Good resistance to scab and some virus strains

Common Pests

Colorado potato beetle, aphids, wireworms, flea beetles

Diseases

Late blight, early blight, potato scab, blackleg

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Pontiac Red potato take to grow?▼

Pontiac Red potatoes mature in 80-95 days from planting, making them a mid-season variety. You can harvest small 'new' potatoes earlier at 60-70 days when plants are flowering, but full-sized storage potatoes need the complete growing period. Plant timing depends on your zone – 2-3 weeks before last frost in most areas.

Can you grow Pontiac Red potatoes in containers?▼

Yes, Pontiac Red potatoes grow excellently in containers due to their compact plant size and consistent yields. Use containers at least 20 gallons with drainage holes, plant 2-3 seed pieces per container, and gradually add soil as plants grow to simulate hilling. Container growing also makes harvest easier and reduces pest issues.

What does Pontiac Red potato taste like?▼

Pontiac Red potatoes have a mild, earthy flavor with a creamy, smooth texture. The white flesh is less starchy than russets, making them waxy potatoes that hold their shape beautifully when cooked. They're excellent for potato salad, boiling, and roasting, with a pleasant, subtle taste that pairs well with various seasonings.

Are Pontiac Red potatoes good for beginners?▼

Absolutely – Pontiac Red potatoes are excellent for beginning gardeners due to their disease resistance, reliable yields, and forgiving nature. They tolerate various soil conditions better than many varieties and have good scab resistance. The clear visual cues for harvest timing and excellent storage qualities make them ideal for learning proper potato growing techniques.

When should I plant Pontiac Red potatoes?▼

Plant Pontiac Red potatoes 2-3 weeks before your last expected frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F consistently. In northern zones (3-6), this typically means mid to late April. Southern gardeners (zones 8-9) can plant in early spring or as a fall crop in late August for November harvest.

Pontiac vs Red Norland potatoes – what's the difference?▼

Pontiac is a mid-season variety (80-95 days) with better storage life and scab resistance, while Red Norland is an early variety (65-80 days) that's ready sooner but doesn't store as long. Pontiac produces larger tubers and higher yields, but Red Norland gives you potatoes earlier in the season for fresh eating.