Solanum tuberosum 'Purple Majesty'
vegetablePurple Majesty is a mid-season purple-flesh potato bred at Colorado State University, with vibrant deep purple skin and bright violet flesh that holds color through baking, mashing, or boiling. The flavor is rich and slightly nutty with creamy texture, and the plants are hardy and disease-resistant for reliable yields.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~95 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
12 in in row, 30 in between rows
Planting Depth
3-4 in
Soil pH
5.0-6.5
Soil Type
Loose, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting; side-dress at hilling
Fertilizer
10-10-10 at 1.5 lb per 100 sq ft pre-plant
Plant certified seed pieces 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost. Cut and cure for 2 days, then set 3 to 4 in deep, 12 in apart in rows 30 in apart. Hill twice during the season. Purple Majesty matures at 85 to 110 days; baby new potatoes can be lifted at about 60 days for a sweet early treat. The variety tolerates cool soils and is widely adapted across the US.
Direct sow
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
Jul 5
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Hand-pick adults and crush egg masses; rotate out for 3 years
Plant certified seed and avoid overhead watering in damp cool spells
Avoid sod; use potato slice traps
Maintain consistent moisture during tuber set and keep pH below 5.5 in scab-prone beds
Purple Majesty is ready 85 to 110 days after planting. Wait for the vines to die down, then dig with a fork. Cure for 10 to 14 days at 60F before storage at 38 to 45F. The purple pigment intensifies slightly during the first few weeks of storage and persists through cooking, so colorful Purple Majesty fries and chips really pop.
About 77 calories per 100 g cooked with 2 g fiber, 19.7 mg vitamin C, and 421 mg potassium. Purple Majesty has one of the highest anthocyanin levels of any commercial potato, several times that of a white potato, with the pigment concentrated in the deeply colored flesh.
Eat the tubers, not the green parts. Potato leaves, stems, sprouts, and any green-tinged or sprouting tubers contain solanine and should not be eaten. Store tubers in the dark, and cut away any green or sprouts before cooking.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.