You can grow spuds in the garden—and it's surprisingly easy to learn how. This TikTok gardener will explain it all.
This Gardener Figured Out How to Propagate Potatoes from Store-Bought Spuds
Updated Jan. 05, 2024
TikTok has schooled us on quite a bit, even teaching us things we didn’t even know we needed to know! You know, like how to properly clean dishwasher filters and the fastest way to hang up your clothes. It’s important stuff!
Now, if you’re a vegetable gardener that wants a ready supply of potatoes (who doesn’t?), TikTok has a trick for you. This is how to propagate potatoes the easy way.
How to Propagate Potatoes
This advice comes from TikTok gardener @rachel_loaf. It’s super simple, so even if you’re a vegetable gardening rookie, she’ll get you set on the right path. A path with an endless amount of potatoes!
The process is easier than you think. First, grab a potato that has started to sprout. Rach says you can either bury the entire potato as is, or you can cut the sprouts into individual pieces.
If you separate the sprouts, she recommends leaving them out to dry for a few days so they don’t start to mold. Rach planted her potatoes in normal soil with organic fertilizer and worm castings. Cover the sprouts with soil, water twice a day for a few months, and suddenly you’ll have so many potatoes, you won’t know what to do with them!
She ended up with about six pounds of potatoes.
Find more raised bed garden tips from a pro.
Can I Plant Store-Bought Potatoes?
You can—and this TikTok gardener did. But typically, gardeners plant seed potatoes. The name is a bit misleading—potatoes don’t actually grow from seeds, but rather sprouts from an already grown and ripened potato. Because grocery store potatoes are often treated with growth inhibitors, they don’t often form natural sprouts. But it you have a sprouted potato in the pantry, go ahead and plant it!
In no time, you’ll have potatoes straight from the garden.
Potato Recipes Perfect for Summer
Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard SauceShow your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
Veggie Nicoise SaladMore and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Spicy Cajun Potato SaladA sprinkle of Cajun seasoning makes this Cajun potato salad a deliciously spicy twist on the classic. The best part? The recipe is ready in just 30 minutes!
Sweet Potato & Chickpea SaladTake this colorful dish to the buffet at a family gathering, or enjoy it as a great meal all by itself. —Brenda Gleason, Hartland, Wisconsin
Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato CakeI won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled if you have a real sweet tooth. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana
Smashed PotatoesCrispy smashed potatoes are an easy way to elevate the humble potato to a dish that's perfectly tender and creamy on the inside, with a crackling golden-brown exterior.
Red, White & Blue Potato SaladTossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Jalapeno & Cotija Cheese Potato Stack PiePie isn't just for dessert anymore. Stacking thinly sliced potatoes with layers of minced jalapenos and crumbled Cotija cheese helps turn ordinary spuds into something truly spectacular—especially when served with salsa and sour cream. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Fresh Corn & Potato ChowderThis corn chowder recipe was one of my favorites as a child in upstate New York, and I still love it today. For extra depth, place the spent cob in the soup, simmer, then remove. —Tracy Bivins, Knob Noster, Missouri
Garden Vegetable GnocchiWhen we go meatless, we toss gnocchi (my husband's favorite) with veggies and a dab of pesto. I use zucchini in this, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Grilled Loaded Potato RoundsMy go-to recipe for outdoor potlucks is an awesome potato side. I prep everything beforehand, then assemble and grill at the party. Serve with sour cream, cheese, bacon and chives. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Tangy Potato Salad with RadishesSummer's approach makes my family think of potato salad. This tangy side is also great in the winter when it's served hot with cubed ham. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Homemade Potato ChipsForget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamed Garden Potatoes and PeasNew potatoes and peas are treated to a creamy sauce for this special side. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas
Hawaiian HashI like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Sweet Potato Crab CakesMild sweet potato flavor and a chipotle kick complement the fresh crab in these hearty cakes. Serve them with your favorite mayo or aioli sauce. —Robert Bosley, Pacific, Washington
Tzatziki Potato SaladMy son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radish, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
BBQ Chicken Waffle FriesThis is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
White Ale Potato SaladTake this one outside! My grown-up recipe uses beer instead of mayo, so you don't need to worry about keeping it cool. It's a really popular recipe on my blog, girllikestoeat.com. —Jenny MacBeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Twice-Baked Red PotatoesBefore my baby was born, I was in nesting mode and made lots of freezable recipes like these creamy red potatoes. The yogurt is a healthy swap for sour cream. —Valerie Cox, Secretary, Maryland
Green Bean and Potato SaladFor family reunions, my mom would make everybody's favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I'm the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas
Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels SproutsMy trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
Salmon and Spud SaladI headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to pick up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario
Grilled Sweet PotatoesIf you're tired of the usual summer side dishes, try these grilled sweet potatoes. The Gorgonzola cheese spread is a perfect match for the caramelized sweetness of the potatoes.
Potato-Sausage Foil PacksWe had these smoky campfire bundles at a friend's house for dinner and loved the simplicity of this great summer meal. Now we often make it for summer weeknight dinners. —Alissa Keith, Forest, Virginia
Grilled Firecracker Potato SaladI can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
Steak & New Potato TossI usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It's pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia
Taco Tater SkinsI wanted to make a version of these with ingredients most people have on hand. We make a meal out of these skins, but they're also great for parties as appetizers. —Phyllis Douglas, Fairview, Michigan
Indian Ginger PotatoesThis easy ginger potato dish is so flavorful. Make it even faster by cooking the potatoes ahead of time or using leftover potatoes. —Erin Kelkar, Norcross, Georgia
Mexican Roasted Potato SaladMy husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Potato OmeletEven folks who don't care for eggs will enjoy this dish. The comforting tastes of potatoes, onions and garlic come through. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Pesto GnocchiPesto gnocchi sauteed with zucchini, yellow peppers and tomatoes makes for a quick, convenient dinner that doesn't skimp on flavor. It's filled with bright, aromatic notes and hints of rich Parmesan cheese.
Dill Potato WedgesThese are my absolute favorites; I've been making them for years! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown PacketsDining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Potluck German Potato SaladThis is a big hit at church potlucks. One man says he comes only so that he can eat my potato salad! —Kathleen Rabe, Kiel, Wisconsin
Loaded Huevos Rancheros with Roasted Poblano PeppersThis is a unique but tasty version of huevos rancheros. It's similar to a cowboy hash, as the potatoes take the place of the corn tortillas. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Fried Potato SaladThis recipe began with leftover fried potatoes I had on hand. We liked it so much that now I fry potatoes just to make this unique potato salad. Sometimes I add grated sharp cheddar for a cheesy twist. —Leann Stallard, Dryden, Virginia
Creamy Ranchified PotatoesMy daughter-in-law gave me this recipe, and over the years, I've adjusted it to our tastes. It's so nice to come home from work to a hot, tasty dish that's ready to serve! You can use any cheese you'd like and also substitute leftover chicken or another meat for the ham. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
BBQ Hot Dog & Potato PacksFor these nifty foil packs, small hands make quick work of topping potato wedges with a hot dog, onions and cheese. — Kelly Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Originally Published: May 26, 2021
