Preserving
How to Store Potatoes So They Last
Preserving · 4 min read · Updated November 14, 2026
To store potatoes so they last, cure them first, then keep them in a cool, dark, dry spot with a little air flow. Done right, a fall harvest can keep well into winter. Done wrong, potatoes sprout, go soft, or turn green within weeks.
Storage starts in the garden. Potatoes with tough, unbroken skins store best, which is why the harvest and curing steps in our guide on how to grow potatoes matter so much.
Cure them first
After digging, let potatoes sit in a dark, airy place at mild room temperature for about 10 to 14 days. This curing step thickens the skin and lets small cuts and scrapes heal over, which is what keeps rot out during storage.
Do not wash potatoes before storing them. Brush off loose dirt once they are dry. Water and washing shorten storage life. Only store sound potatoes, and eat any cut or damaged ones first.
Pick the right spot
The best spot is cool, around 40 to 50 degrees, dark, and dry. A basement corner, an unheated closet, or a garage that does not freeze all work. A root cellar is ideal if you have one. Keep potatoes in a paper bag, cardboard box, or open bin so a little air can move around them.
Light is the enemy. Even dim light turns skins green over time, and green potatoes taste bitter and should not be eaten. Cover bins with a cloth or newspaper if the spot gets any light at all.
Keep them away from onions and fruit
Keep potatoes away from onions. Onions give off gas that makes potatoes sprout faster, and each spoils the other. Store them in separate spots, even in the same room.
Also keep potatoes away from fruit like apples and bananas, which give off the same kind of ripening gas. And never store them where they could freeze. A frozen potato turns sweet and mushy when it thaws.
Check them and use the oldest first
Look through your stored potatoes every week or two. Remove any that feel soft, smell off, or show mold, before they spoil the ones next to them. Firm potatoes with small sprouts are still fine to cook, just rub the sprouts off.
If your harvest is bigger than your storage spot, preserving part of it gives you a backup. Tomatoes are the classic jar crop, and the safe method is in our guide on how to can tomatoes safely. You can see everything on this site on the guides page.
Frequently asked questions
How long do stored potatoes last?
Cured and stored well, most keeper types last 3 to 5 months, sometimes longer. Thin skinned new potatoes only keep a few weeks, so eat those first.
Can I store potatoes in the fridge?
No. A fridge is too cold for potatoes and changes their taste and texture. A cool dark pantry, basement, or garage corner is better.
Why do potatoes need to be kept in the dark?
Light. Keep them in the dark in a paper bag, a box, or an opaque bin. A little air flow is good, but they should not sit in light or they will green and sprout.
What should I do with a soft or sprouting potato?
Pull it out right away so the rest do not follow. One rotting potato can spoil its neighbors fast. Check stored potatoes every week or two.
Are sprouted potatoes safe to eat?
Yes, small sprouts are fine. Rub them off and use the potato soon. If it is badly shriveled, soft, or sprouted all over, toss it in the compost instead of eating it.