The potato’s story
From the Andes to Europe, the Irish famine, Kew’s lawn and outer space.
In the Andes
The potato is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato Britannica says potatoes were domesticated by Indigenous peoples of the central Andes over 7,000 years ago, probably several times. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato
Kew says the modern potato was cultivated around 8,500 years ago in what is now southern Peru. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: The plants of Peru
The Inca were among the Andean civilisations that grew potatoes, using terracing and irrigation. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato In the Andes, surplus potatoes were preserved as chuño, freeze-dried by the cold night temperatures and strong daytime sun. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato
There are between 100 and 180 wild potato species. They are too bitter to eat, but carry natural resistance to pests, diseases and climate. International Potato Center (CIP): Potato
Into Europe
Spaniards introduced potatoes into Europe in the second half of the 16th century. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato Kew says potatoes arrived in Europe in the 1560s and were treated with suspicion, because their flower looks like that of poisonous deadly nightshade. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew
At first in Europe, potatoes were mainly used as animal food, and in northern Europe were grown in botanical gardens as an exotic novelty. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew
By the end of the 17th century the potato was a major crop in Ireland, and by the end of the 18th century in continental Europe and the west of England. Encyclopaedia Britannica: potato
The Great Famine
The Great Famine in Ireland, 1845–49, happened when the potato crop failed in successive years because of late blight. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Great Famine (Irish history) About 1 million people died in the Great Famine and perhaps 2 million more emigrated. Ireland’s population fell from almost 8.4 million in 1844 to 6.6 million by 1851. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Great Famine (Irish history)
Britannica says heavy reliance on just one or two high-yielding types of potato left Ireland vulnerable, because it reduced genetic variety. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Great Famine (Irish history)
Beetles on the move
Colorado potato beetle was first recorded in the USA in 1811 and first became established in Europe at Bordeaux, France, in 1921. GOV.UK (Defra/APHA): Colorado potato beetle confirmed in Hampshire Colorado beetle was declared eradicated from the UK on 11 December 2025, after it was found in Kent in July 2023 and none were found for two years. GOV.UK (Defra/APHA): Major potato pest eradicated from UK (11 December 2025) · checked 29 Oct 2026
Potatoes at Kew
In the First World War, Kew Palace lawn was dug up to grow vegetables for the Home Front, and the lawn alone produced 27 tonnes of potatoes. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Kew Gardens in the First World War In the Second World War, Kew’s curator William Campbell found that potatoes could be grown from slices, as long as each slice had an “eye”. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew
Kew grows the heritage variety Pink Fir Apple, which dates from 1850. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew Kew says potatoes enjoy a cool climate, which reduces fungal diseases such as blight, and that this is why a lot of seed potato is grown in Scotland. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew
Records, space and a day of its own
In 1995 the potato became the first crop grown in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew Kew says the heaviest potato ever grown weighed 4.98kg, grown in 2011 by an amateur gardener in Nottinghamshire. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Potato season at Kew · checked 29 Oct 2026
The International Potato Center calls the potato the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat, in terms of human consumption. International Potato Center (CIP): Potato
The UN International Day of Potato is 30 May. In 2026 it was marked on 29 May, because 30 May fell on a Saturday. FAO / United Nations: International Day of Potato · checked 29 Oct 2026 2008 was the International Year of the Potato. FAO / United Nations: International Day of Potato
Sources give different ages for the first potato farming, and different counts of varieties. More on when sources disagree.
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