How to Grow a Yukon Gold Potato Vine Indoors

Although Yukon Gold potatoes are widely available at supermarkets, they can be cheaply raised in your own home. A single tuber can produce a dozen others, and although they're most easily grown outdoors, the process can be handled inside. Since the tubers are harvested instead of fruit, you don't need to worry about manually pollinating the flowers. However, because the plant needs a large amount of soil to grow, you'll need a large pot.

• 1

  Prepare the planting pot. It should be at least 1 foot deep and 2 feet in diameter. Since the tubers grow roughly 6 inches below ground, having deep and ample soil is essential. The soil itself should either be compost high in nitrogen -- most commonly derived from mixing in leaves -- or cut with a complete fertilizer. Also, note that the pot must have a drainage hole.

• 2

  Cut the tuber in half width-wise unless you're using a small "seed." This will promote extra vine growth, leading to a fuller specimen and more tubers. If planting from "seed," you should not cut the specimen. Note that you should not plant actual Yukon Gold seeds, but rather the small tubers commonly referred to as "seeds." These will ensure that your plant resembles a true Yukon rather than an inedible hybrid.

• 3

  Plant the "seed" or tuber squarely in the middle of the pot at a depth of 2 inches. Do not plant both parts of a tuber in the same pot, as they will compete with each other for both space and light. Instead, plant them in separate pots.

• 4

  Position the pot where it will get ample sunlight. It should sprout within two weeks and the vine will grow over the course of the following 90 to 100 days.

• 5

  Water the plant every three days. Excessive watering will result in blackened skin and rot, while insufficient watering can lead to malformed tubers and plant death. The Yukon Gold is not drought resistant and consistency in watering is essential.

• 6

  Shade tubers that peek above the soil. If they get exposed to sunlight, they'll turn green and develop a tough texture. Ideally, shade will be provided by the vine itself, though if this isn't adequate you can create small mounds to cover the exposed sections.

• 7

  Harvest the tubers after 90 to 100 days. Even under the best circumstances, the vine will die after this period and the tubers will become dormant. Harvest them for consumption. Due to the way potato tubers accumulate diseases, it's not recommended to replant them for a second harvest. Instead, purchase new "seeds."