# [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") Potatoes Growing in Bags - Too Many Leaves? ![Potatoes growing in bags](/sites/default/files/styles/side_image_xs/public/2026-11/potato_bags_istock-645090392.jpg.avif?itok=WZq2g-Fj) # [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") Potatoes Growing in Bags - Too Many Leaves? I'm growing potatoes in a bag and the plants have already reached the top with heaps of leaves. Will they still grow potatoes, and should I remove some of the leaves? There's no need to remove the leaves from your potato plants. In fact, all that healthy green foliage is doing an important job, using sunlight to produce the energy the plant needs to grow potatoes underground. It's quite normal for potatoes to produce plenty of leafy growth, particularly if the growing mix is rich in nutrients, and it doesn't necessarily mean you won't get a good crop. #### Caring for potatoes growing in bags If you've been gradually adding growing mix as the plants grow and your bag is now full, there's no need to add any more. Just let the plants continue growing, keeping them in a sunny spot and watering regularly. Potato bags can dry out quickly as the weather warms up, so check the moisture often and make sure the bag has good drainage. **Avoid applying any additional fertiliser at this stage**. Too much nitrogen can encourage even more lush, leafy growth at the expense of the potatoes developing underground. #### When will my potatoes be ready? There's plenty happening beneath the soil while your potato plants are growing! As the plants begin flowering, potatoes may already be developing underground, and some of the older leaves may start to turn yellow. These yellow leaves can be removed, but leave the healthy green foliage in place. Depending on the variety, potatoes generally take around 3-4 months to mature. Once the foliage starts to yellow and die back naturally, it's a good sign that your potatoes are nearly ready to harvest. For more advice, see our guide: [How to Grow Potatoes](https://www.daltons.co.nz/gardening-guides/how-to-grow-potatoes-guide) Guides [All Gardening Guides](/gardening-guides) Topic[Flowering Shrubs & Trees](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A93) [Vegetable Gardening](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A17) [Tomatoes](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A88) [Fruit Gardening](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A16) [Lawn Care](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A98) ## Products To Try ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2026-09/garden_time_chicken_sheep_pellets_10kg_vis_flat.jpg.avif?itok=RI4wqO8g) ##### Garden Time™ Chicken and Sheep Pellets ](/products/garden-timetm-chicken-and-sheep-pellets) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2020-10/Prof%20Blood%20and%20Bone%205kg%20vis.png.avif?itok=Ep57VIPO) ##### Daltons Ready to Grow Blood and Bone ](/products/daltons-ready-to-grow-blood-and-bone) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2026-09/garden_time_blue_complete_fert_1.5kg_vis_flat.jpg.avif?itok=RBEZnVC-) ##### Daltons Garden Time Blue Complete ](/products/daltons-garden-time-blue-complete) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/products/garden-time-seafeed-plus-npk-1l-480x600.png.avif?itok=KfGq5TEy) ##### Daltons Garden Time™ Seafeed Plus NPK ](/products/daltons-garden-timetm-seafeed-plus-npk) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2021-05/GT%20All%20Purpose%20Fert%20500g%20visual.png.avif?itok=1EP5zVyn) ##### Garden Time™ All Purpose Fertiliser ](/products/garden-timetm-all-purpose-fertiliser) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2026-09/7in1-Citrus-%26-Fruit-Fert-Pellets-5kg-vis.jpg.avif?itok=-OQZd9O9) ##### 7in1 Citrus & Fruit Pellets ](/products/7in1-citrus-fruit-pellets) ## More like this ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Potatoes%20iS15279268L.jpg.avif?itok=Rz2PkGnD) ##### When to Plant Potatoes When is the right time to plant potatoes? We are afraid that, frosts will kill the tops. ](/gardening-guides/when-to-plant-potatoes "When to Plant Potatoes ") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Vegetables%20iS39292752_XXXL%20%24.jpg.avif?itok=NZTM9A0M) ##### Growing new potatoes I have trouble growing new potatoes. I’ve tried rotation, fertiliser, a variety of seed potatoes, but to no avail. When I cultivate, they are the size of small marbles. Why is this? ](/gardening-guides/growing-new-potatoes "Growing new potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/potatoes_is3929332_crop.jpg.avif?itok=JSX3HgdT) ##### Growing Potatoes This year I planted the usual potatoes and about half way through the season the leaves started to close up and had brown edges. When I dug them up the potatoes were marble size or smaller. I plant in a different place each year. Can you help? ](/gardening-guides/growing-potatoes-0 "Growing Potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Potatoes%20in%20ground%20iS485922402%20XXL.jpg.avif?itok=b3DrvABg) ##### How to Plant Potatoes When is the best time to plant out potatoes in Dunedin? And what is the best method for growing them? ](/gardening-guides/how-to-plant-potatoes "How to Plant Potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2024-06/planting_potatoes_qa.jpg.avif?itok=IW6acnJW) ##### When to grow potatoes Can potatoes be grown all year around? Or do they do best in winter etc? ](/gardening-guides/when-to-grow-potatoes "When to grow potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Potatoes%20iS7259051S.jpg.avif?itok=0CgiS437) ##### Growing Potatoes Is it a good time to get some spuds into the garden be ready for Christmas Day? ](/gardening-guides/growing-potatoes "Growing Potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2022-06/potatoes_1.jpg.avif?itok=RtjfNjj0) ##### Potatoes & brown staining on flesh I have been growing potatoes for years and this year I planted Maris Anchor, Cliff Kidney and Jersey Benne. These are the only ones I get seed potatoes for each season and plant in my garden. For some reason this season they have brown staining/marks through the flesh when I peel them otherwise, they look perfect shape and colour on the outside. Can you help – is there something missing in my soil? ](/gardening-guides/potatoes-brown-staining-flesh "Potatoes & brown staining on flesh") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-09/chitting_potatoes_is526072095l.jpg.avif?itok=ayl6NzZ6) ##### Chitting potatoes When chitting potatoes, if I have a potato with a few healthy-looking shoots, can I cut that potato in half and plant both halves? Do I need to cure the skin on the cut pieces? If so how do I do this? ](/gardening-guides/chitting-potatoes "Chitting potatoes") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-06/potatoes_is17121344xl.jpg.avif?itok=wSXp5qQM) ##### Potatoes for Christmas I was wondering if September is a good time to get some spuds into the garden to be ready for Christmas day? ](/gardening-guides/potatoes-christmas "Potatoes for Christmas ") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2018-03/potatoes_is14154510l.jpg.avif?itok=ITRRoioH) ##### How To Grow Potatoes Guide Learn how to grow potatoes at home with our guide. Covers when to plant, how to prepare, grow in-ground or in containers, and storage tips. ](/gardening-guides/how-to-grow-potatoes-guide "How To Grow Potatoes Guide") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/how-to-tomatoes.jpg.avif?itok=3Z1qZn4b) ##### Is there an environmentally friendly way to treat Tomato potato psyllid? Can you tell me the best ways to control the Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) - Bactericera cockerelli. I first found them on my tomatoes about three seasons ago and I would like to know the best environmentally friendly way to control them or failing that other pesticides that may be effective against them. ](/gardening-guides/there-environmentally-friendly-way-to-treat-tomato-potato-psyllid "Is there an environmentally friendly way to treat Tomato potato psyllid?") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-06/family_gardening_is68560265xxxl_.jpg.avif?itok=lQyGwM17) ##### What to Grow with Kids How can I make gardening a more fun experience for my children? What are some good summer plants for them to grow? ](/gardening-guides/what-to-grow-with-kids "What to Grow with Kids")