Potato eyes are nodes that grow on all potatoes. Potatoes grow sprouts in these eyes when they have been sitting in good growing conditions for some a week or longer. The eyes will sprout and eventually form a tuber, allowing the potato to grow into another plant.
Potatoes are far more likely to sprout if exposed to sunlight or in a warm place. The warmth of your home ‘tricks’ the potato into believing it’s spring and time to grow.
Are Sprouted Potatoes Safe to Eat?
Sprouted potatoes are not necessarily unsafe; many people eat them after cutting out their eyes. However, potatoes with eyes likely have excess glycoalkaloids, a natural toxin that grows in potatoes that might make you sick.
Potato sprouts are poisonous and should never be consumed. Always cut the sprout off if you plan to eat or cook a sprouted potato.
In general, it is best to err on the side of caution and not eat potatoes that have sprouted.
What Happens if You Eat a Sprouted Potato?
If you eat a potato with eyes that have sprouted, you may consume too many glycoalkaloids. Glycoalkaloids consumed in small doses often lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. At high doses, glycoalkaloids can be deadly.
Additionally, sprouted potatoes with too many glycoalkaloids may harm the fetus if eaten by a pregnant person.
Are Potatoes With Eyes Safe To Eat?
Yes, potatoes with un-sprouted eyes are safe to eat. Potato eyes are nodes where future sprouts may grow and do not mean that the potato has gone bad.
How To Prevent Potatoes From Sprouting
Sunlight will speed up the sprouting process but will not prevent it entirely. Potatoes can sprout in complete darkness, so keeping them in the dark place alone will not deter sprouts from forming.
Keeping your potatoes in a cool place will do more than keeping them out of the sun. Potatoes have evolved to respond to temperature and will only sprout if they ‘believe’ that it is spring. Keeping potatoes in a cool place will minimize the risk of sprouts forming.
In addition to keeping your potatoes in a cool, dark place, buy single potatoes or smaller bags rather than large bags. This extra step will help you finish your potatoes before they go bad.
If Potatoes Grow from Eyes, Do They Have Seeds?
Yes, potatoes grow seeds even though new potatoes can grow from sprouted eyes. Potato plants flower and produce small green berries filled with seeds. Note that fruit grown from potato plants is highly toxic and should never be eaten.
Despite this, sprouted potato eyes are much more commonly used to grow new potatoes. Potato eyes grow potatoes that are clones of their parents, so growing from eyes and sprouts ensures that potatoes have the qualities that farmers want.
What To Do with Sprouted Potatoes
You have two options for sprouted potatoes (aside from cutting the sprouts off and cooking them anyway). You can throw them away or plant them.
Potatoes are easy to grow, which is part of why they are a staple food all over the world. To plant a sprouted potato, cut it in half and bury it two inches under the soil with the eye and sprout facing up.
Sweet Potato Eyes
Sweet potatoes do not grow eyes. Instead, they sprout shoots called ‘slips.’ Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes with sprouted slips are perfectly safe to eat.
Conclusion
When potatoes remain in warm conditions, they will begin to sprout. You should never eat potato sprouts because they are poisonous. However, you can remove the sprout and eat the potato if you wish. Store your potatoes in a cool place to help prevent them from sprouting eyes.