Choosing the Right Potato – Which Variety is Best for Your Plate?
Walk into any supermarket and you will find just a handful of potato varieties — but when you grow your own, a whole world of culinary possibilities opens up.
Potatoes are generally divided into two texture profiles: waxy (which hold their shape perfectly when cooked) and floury (which fluff up beautifully). Choosing the right variety for the right dish is the secret to getting the best results on the plate.
Here is our quick-reference guide to the best UK potato varieties and exactly what to use them for.
Quick Potato Selection Guide
|
Variety |
Category |
Texture |
Best Used For |
|
Maris Piper |
Maincrop |
Floury |
The undisputed king of chips and crispy roast potatoes |
|
King Edward |
Maincrop |
Floury |
Unbeatable for jacket potatoes and fluffy mash |
|
Charlotte |
Second Early |
Waxy |
Exceptional for potato salads, boiling, and steaming |
|
Desiree |
Maincrop |
All-rounder |
Distinctive red skin. Great for mash, wedges, and roasts |
|
Arran Pilot |
First Early |
Waxy |
Traditional new potato flavour. Best boiled with mint and butter |
Understanding the Types: Earlies vs Maincrop
When buying seed potatoes to place in your chitting tray, you will see them classified by when they are planted and harvested:
1. First Earlies (New Potatoes)
First earlies are the fastest to mature, ready just 10–12 weeks after planting — usually harvested in June or early July. Because they are lifted young, they are small, have thin skins, and have a firm, waxy texture.
- Best for: Boiling whole, tossing in butter, or chilling for summer salads.
- Blight bonus: Because they are harvested early in the summer, they almost always escape the blight season entirely.
2. Second Earlies
These take slightly longer to mature, around 13–15 weeks. They are larger than first earlies but still hold together well when cooked.
- Best for: Potato salads, roasting whole, or adding to summer stews and curries.
3. Maincrop
These are the giants of the potato world, staying in the ground for 15–22 weeks and growing much larger. Their high starch content gives them that classic fluffy, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
- Best for: Mashing, baking, chipping, and proper Sunday roasties.
Pro tip: If you are short on space, stick to first earlies. They grow brilliantly in compact patio bags or containers, meaning you do not even need an allotment to enjoy homegrown spuds. Once harvested, your Wooden Potato Chitting Tray can be repurposed to store tools or cure onions later in the autumn.
Before you buy your seed potatoes, make sure your growing space is ready. Explore our Wooden Potato Chitting Trays and full range of planting accessories at gotogarden.uk.