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How do potatoes grow?
It's simple really.
Here in North Carolina potatoes are grown as annual plants, planted late February through March, and harvested in the summer. The part of the plant we call a “potato” grows on a specialized underground stem called a stolon. So, although potatoes grow underground, they are stems, not roots — also known as “tubers.”
The Potato Growth Cycle
STAGE 1: SPROUT DEVELOPMENT
The eyes of the potato develop sprouts, which emerge from the soil.
STAGE 2: VEGETATIVE GROWTH
The leaves, stems, and root system form, photosynthesis begins, and the plant prepares to store nutrients in tubers.
STAGE 3: TUBER INITIATION
Tubers begin forming on the end of stolons (underground stems), usually before the plant flowers.
STAGE 4: TUBER BULKING
Tubers enlarge. Sugars and starches accumulate.
STAGE 5: MATURATION
The tubers reach full size. The top of the plant dries out and dies and tubers are ready for harvesting.
We couldn't have explained it better ourselves...
Laura from the popular YouTube channel, Garden Answer, explains the steps in growing seed potatoes in your own garden.