How to Grow Potatoes in a Bucket

Growing potatoes in a bucket is simple and space-efficient. Plant seed potatoes in a drainage-equipped bucket with quality potting soil, then progressively add soil as the plants grow to maximize your harvest.

  1. Pick Your Perfect Vessel. Use a 5-gallon bucket or larger with a capacity of at least 20 gallons for best results. Food-grade plastic buckets work well, but any sturdy container will do. Make sure it's at least 16 inches deep to give potatoes room to develop. Clean the bucket thoroughly before use.
  2. Drain Like Your Potatoes Depend On It. Drill 6-8 holes in the bottom of the bucket, each about half an inch in diameter. Good drainage prevents waterlogged soil that can rot your potatoes. Space the holes evenly across the bottom surface.
  3. Build Your Growing Foundation. Fill the bucket with 4-6 inches of high-quality potting mix. Avoid garden soil, which can be too heavy and may contain diseases. The soil should be loose and well-draining. Mix in a handful of compost if you have it.
  4. Set Your Seeds In Place. Place 2-3 seed potatoes on the soil surface, eyes facing up. Seed potatoes are small potatoes specifically grown for planting. If using larger potatoes, cut them into pieces with at least two eyes each and let them dry for 24 hours before planting.
  5. Water and Welcome the Sun. Cover the seed potatoes with 2-3 inches of potting soil. Water gently until soil is moist but not soggy. Place the bucket in a location that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  6. Bury Stems To Multiply Yield. When green shoots reach 6-8 inches tall, add more soil around the stems, leaving only the top 2 inches of foliage exposed. Repeat this process every 2-3 weeks as the plants grow. This technique, called hilling, encourages more potato production along the buried stems.
  7. Master the Moisture Balance. Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. During hot weather, you may need to water daily. Inconsistent watering can cause potatoes to crack or develop hollow centers.
  8. Claim Your Homegrown Bounty. Harvest when the plants flower and begin to yellow, typically 70-90 days after planting. For new potatoes, harvest 2-3 weeks after flowering. Dump the entire bucket and sift through the soil to collect your potatoes. A single bucket can yield 5-10 pounds of potatoes.