How to Store Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic storage crop when harvested mature and kept in the dark. Good storage starts with curing and with keeping tubers cool but not refrigerator cold.
Best storage conditions
Store potatoes at about 40 to 45 F after curing. They keep best at high humidity, around 85 to 90 percent, with good ventilation. Do not refrigerate raw potatoes because very cold storage can cause undesirable sweetening and texture changes. Keep them in darkness to prevent greening.
How long it keeps
Well cured potatoes commonly keep 4 to 8 months in very good conditions. At ordinary pantry temperatures, storage life is much shorter and sprouting is more likely.
Storage methods
Cure freshly dug potatoes for about 1 to 2 weeks at 50 to 60 F and high humidity so minor wounds can heal. After curing, move them to a cool, dark cellar, basement, or similar space with airflow. A refrigerator is not recommended for raw storage. Avoid sealed plastic bags and avoid storing potatoes next to onions.
Freezing & preserving
Potatoes can be pressure canned, frozen in prepared forms, or dehydrated. For canning, follow current USDA or NCHFP directions because potatoes are a low acid food and require pressure canning.
Tips
Do not store damaged, cut, or sunburned tubers with sound ones. Check the lot often and remove sprouted or rotting potatoes before problems spread.
General home-storage guidance. For home canning and preserving safety, follow USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidelines. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.