Toss Your Potatoes ASAP If You See This

You may not know it from my last name, but I’m part Ukrainian. I grew up eating pierogi for Christmas and potato pancakes every Friday. Our culture favors root vegetables—and potatoes are chief among them—so knowing how to store them, cook them, and tell when they’ve gone bad isn’t exactly optional in my family.

Potato prep was as normal to me as putting away apples or bananas, so my jaw hit the ground when I visited a friend who had her spuds resting on the windowsill, like they were décor. She was a day away from sprouted, shriveled potatoes—essentially becoming a full-blown food safety disaster thanks to light and heat exposure that speeds up spoilage.

To prevent your own potato purgatory, read on to find out what’s going on when they turn green, the best way to store them, and how to tell when it’s time to say goodbye.

How Long Do Potatoes Last?

The shelf life of potatoes depends on the type of potato you have. There are two main categories that you’ll find at the grocery store: new potatoes (sometimes called baby potatoes) and mature potatoes.

Favored for warm potato salads, simple buttered sides, and quick sautés, new potatoes are harvested early, usually in late spring or early summer, and sent straight to market rather than cured for long-term storage. Because of this, new potatoes don’t last as long as mature potatoes, only between three and five weeks.

On the other hand, mature potatoes are harvested once the plant has fully died back and the skins have thickened and toughened. This curing process helps seal in moisture and extend shelf life, which is why Russets, Yukon Golds, and other storage potatoes can last for up to two months.

Whether new or mature, potatoes are best stored in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place, like a basement, pantry, or cupboard. Keep them away from light sources, like windows, and heat sources, like ovens or air vents, which can encourage greening, sprouting, and faster spoilage.

How to Tell if Your Potatoes Have Gone Bad

You can usually tell that it’s time to get rid of your potatoes when they start looking like the opposite of their former selves: soft, wrinkled, and a little sad, instead of firm and smooth. If a potato feels mushy when you squeeze it, has deep wrinkles, or shows signs of widespread bruising, it’s best to move on.

Sprouting is another signal that a potato is past its prime. While tiny sprouts can sometimes be trimmed away, heavy sprouting often comes with bitterness and quality loss. Off smells, dampness, or visible mold are also clear signs that your potatoes belong in the trash.

And if you’ve ever found a green potato in your bunch, it’s best to toss it or cut away as much of the green as possible, as it can cause gastrointestinal distress. When in doubt, trust your senses: Fresh potatoes should feel solid, smell neutral, and look clean and unblemished.