The Best Potato To Grow For Roast Potatoes
Roast Potatoes are the centrepiece of any special Occasion. We look at 5 of our best.
Save £5 when you buy all five recommendations
We are often asked which the best potato to grow for Roast Potatoes is. Roast Potatoes are the centrepiece of your Sunday dinner or any special occasion. The forward planning to grow your own meal from scratch is incredible. We grow over 40 seed potato varieties that are deemed to be great for roasting - dry fluffy potatoes are ideal for roasting and tend to be main crops. We shouldn't have favourites from our baby potatoes, but we have compiled a list which is Family Skea favourites and in no way is definitive! There are so many variables such as whether you like coloured potatoes. Here are five out of our huge range, in no particular order that we (currently) love! If you buy all five you will get £1 of each net - but if you'd prefer other varieties, that is no problem.
What are your favourite potatoes to grow to roast? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page.

The Best Potatoes to grow for Roasties
These varieties have been tried and tested by us. Tough job!
One of the very best varieties for Roast Potatoes – Arran Victory
Arran Victory
One of our very popular Heritage varieties. Named on the Isle of Arran after the first World War, first marketed in 1918 and bred by Donald McKelvie. This round to oval tuber has consistently been popular with growers due to high yields and long seasons. Distinct blue/purple skin covers white flesh, which although it will mash well it does fall apart when boiling. They have a good earthy taste and make fantastic roasties. This is almost always on our Christmas Dinner Plate!
This variety is listed in the Ark of Taste. This project strives to draw attention to the products and the history behind them, inspiring people to take action to protect them.
Another great Potato to grow for Roasties
Carolus
Carolus is an attractive early main crop with a pretty red flesh over a pale yellow skin. It has very high dry matter so is perfect for baking, mashing and roast potatoes. Can be steamed but do not boil for more than 15 minutes as it may break up it bit. But it must be said it is the perfect choice for home cooked chunky chips, potato skins or bubble and squeak.
This potato variety has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant. For more information on RHS Award of Garden Merit plants visit .rhs.org.uk/plants
Edzell Blue – fantastic in the kitchen.
Edzell Blue
A blue skinned and white fleshed potato which produces great flavoured and vibrant dishes in the kitchen when baked, mashed and fried due to its floury nature. Many of our favourite potatoes are old heritage varieties – these may be slightly more prone to diseases but have stood the test of time for a reason. That reason is taste.
This is one of Andrew’s favourites and served almost every Christmas as our centrepiece.
This variety is listed in the Ark of Taste. This project strives to draw attention to the products and the history behind them, inspiring people to take action to protect them.
Golden Wonder – the ultimate roastie?
Golden Wonder
Who hasn’t heard of Golden Wonder Potatoes? A brown rough skinned tuber bred in Arbroath, Scotland. This potato has a very high dry matter, which can easily register over 25 per cent which makes it ideal for chipping. Invariably grown in Scotland and Ireland where the preference is for a floury taste, this potato benefits from the best flavour developing a few months after lifting. Making it ideal for the small grower who wishes to harvest and enjoy the rewards gradually.
A blue Roastie – Sarpo Blue Danube
Sarpo Blue Danube
A wonderful blue for your plate.
Unique blue skin, white flesh Sarpo variety with excellent overall disease resistance. It’s ideal for roasting and chips because of its high dry matter. This makes a wonderful colourful addition to your plate.
Blue Danube is an early main crop potato which is truly beautiful to grow in the garden.
Because of its rapid growth, striking form and “strange” tuber colour, this makes for a great project potato for kids. Once harvested, Blue Danube can be used for any cooking purposes where high dry matter is desired and it excels as a roast potato. Because of its inbuilt dormancy it can be harvested in autumn and then kept in a cool dark place right though until spring without sprouting or softening
This list is just some suggestions for you. As long as a floury potato is chosen you should get good roasties. You can browse all our varieties which are suitable for roasting and indeed our entire collection. If something takes your fancy, go for it! We are here to help at any time with your potato questions.