Can You Plant Unchitted Potatoes?

Yes, you can plant unchitted potatoes, and they will still grow and produce a crop. Chitting is helpful but not essential, especially for certain types of potatoes and under the right conditions.

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What Happens If You Plant Unchitted Potatoes?

Unchitted potatoes:

• Take longer to sprout after planting
• Produce shoots later than chitted potatoes
• Usually catch up later in the season
• Still produce a usable harvest

The main difference is timing, not whether the crop will grow.

When Planting Unchitted Potatoes Works Well

Planting unchitted potatoes is perfectly fine if:

• You are growing maincrop potatoes
• Soil is warm and free-draining
• You are planting later in spring
• You are not aiming for very early harvests

In these situations, unchitted potatoes often perform just as well.

When Chitting Is Better

Chitting gives clear benefits when:

• Growing first early potatoes
• Growing second earlies in cooler areas
• Planting early in the season
• Soil temperatures are low

Chitted potatoes emerge faster and more reliably in cool soil.

Yield: Chitted vs Unchitted

• Chitting does not significantly increase total yield
• Chitting helps produce earlier and more even crops

Final harvest weight is more influenced by soil quality, watering, spacing, and variety.

Risks of Planting Unchitted Potatoes Early

If planted too early:

• Unchitted potatoes may rot in cold, wet soil
• Shoots may emerge unevenly
• Plants may be weaker at first

In these cases, chitting or waiting to plant is safer.

Can You Plant Shop-Bought Potatoes Unchitted?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended:

• Shop-bought potatoes may carry disease
• Many are treated to prevent sprouting
• Results are unreliable

Always use certified seed potatoes for best results.

How Much Later Will Unchitted Potatoes Be?

Typically:

• Emergence is 1–3 weeks later
• Harvest is slightly delayed

This difference is most noticeable with early potatoes.

Planting Unchitted Potatoes in Containers

Unchitted potatoes can be planted in containers successfully:

• Compost warms faster than garden soil
• Growth often catches up quickly
• Results are usually reliable

Containers reduce many of the risks of unchitted planting.

Best Practice If Planting Unchitted Potatoes

• Wait until soil is warm and workable
• Plant at correct depth (10–15 cm)
• Use correct spacing
• Water carefully, avoiding waterlogging

Quick Comparison

Chitted Potatoes

• Faster emergence
• Earlier harvest
• Better in cool soil

Unchitted Potatoes

• Slower start
• Slightly later harvest
• Fine in warm soil

Final Answer

Yes, you can plant unchitted potatoes and still get a good crop. Chitting is most useful for early potatoes and early planting. If conditions are warm and you’re growing maincrop varieties, planting unchitted potatoes is absolutely fine.