Potato Tomato Plant Care
Lycopersicon tuberosum (L.) Mill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The potato is a starchy tuberous vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are underground stem tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Potato Tomato?
Water Potato Tomato every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Potato Tomato Native To?
What Is the Potato Tomato?
Potato Tomato (Lycopersicon tuberosum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Lycopersicon genus. Potato Tomato is native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world.
Potato Tomato displays an upright, sprawling vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Potato Tomato produces yellow, star-shaped flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Potato Tomato?
Lycopersicon tuberosum requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Potato Tomato Need?
Potato Tomato thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Potato Tomato Prefer?
Lycopersicon tuberosum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Potato Tomato prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Potato Tomato?
Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Potato Tomato to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Potato Tomato?
Feed Potato Tomato every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Potato Tomato?
Transplant young plants into larger containers as they grow. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Potato Tomato?
Potato Tomato can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Potato Tomato Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Potato Tomato?
Potato Tomato is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Potato Tomato Need?
Potato Tomato grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Potato Tomato is native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. In cooler regions, grow Potato Tomato as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Potato Tomato is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lycopersicon genus (family Solanaceae) — search all Lycopersicon species in the plant lookup.
Potato Tomato thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lycopersicon tuberosum (L.) Mill., family Solanaceae (first published in Gard. Dict. ed. 8, no. 7. 1768.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Potato Tomato is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Potato Tomato Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species