Let’s be honest—most people in the UK only grow the usual suspects: Maris Piper, King Edward, or maybe Charlotte if they’re feeling fancy.
But what if I told you there’s a whole underground world of delicious, quirky, and downright underrated potato varieties just waiting to blow your mind (and your taste buds)?
If you’re tired of growing the same old spuds and want something new for your garden, kitchen, or even market stall—this post is for you.
1. Pink Fir Apple – The Oddball Gourmet
This one’s a real gem. Pink Fir Apple is a long, knobbly salad potato with a waxy texture and nutty flavour. Super popular with foodies, but hardly anyone grows it in their home garden.
It needs a little more space and patience than your average potato, but the flavour payoff? Totally worth it. Roast it, steam it, or toss it in a herby vinaigrette—it never disappoints.
➡️ Bonus tip: If you're experimenting with later plantings, you might find this guide useful:
How late can you plant potatoes in the UK?
2. Violetta – The Purple Powerhouse
Violetta is a dark purple potato—inside and out! It’s rich in antioxidants and turns heads on the plate. Great boiled or steamed, and honestly, it’s just fun to cook with.
Plus, if you're growing for kids or customers, it adds that “wow” factor without needing any artificial colour.
Imagine purple mash next Sunday roast? Yeah—game changer.
3. Anya – The Chelsea of Spuds
Anya is a salad potato bred from Pink Fir Apple and Desiree. It's smooth, waxy, and full of nutty, earthy flavour. It’s been spotted in posh kitchens and farmer’s markets, but still hasn’t made it to many home gardens.
Perfect for container growing too. Want to try it without a big garden? Here’s something that might help:
Best container tips (applies to regular potatoes too!)
4. Setanta – The Maincrop Beast
If you love a big, floury spud with serious blight resistance, meet Setanta. It's like a more disease-hardened version of Rooster, and the flavour is up there with the best of them.
It’s excellent for roasting, baking, and chipping—and the yield is solid. One of those low-fuss, high-reward types.
Thinking of going for a full maincrop plan this year? Read this before you plant:
When to plant main crop potatoes in the UK
5. Shetland Black – The Heirloom You Didn’t Know You Needed
Now this one’s just cool. It’s got purple-black skin with a yellow ring inside. Looks like it belongs in a painting, not your dinner plate. It’s an old heritage variety from the Shetland Islands and tastes amazing roasted or in soups.
Yields aren’t massive, but the uniqueness makes it a fun addition to your plot.
Why Try These Lesser-Known Varieties?
Let’s be honest, growing potatoes isn’t just about food—it’s about flavour, colour, and growing something you can’t always buy at the shops. And for UK growers, trying new varieties can actually extend your season, fight off pests, and even help with better storage.
If you're new to timing your plantings right, especially for first earlies, don’t miss this post:
When to plant first early potatoes in the UK
Final Thoughts: Dare to Grow Different
We all love our classic British potatoes—but sometimes, the best surprises come from trying something new. Whether you’ve got a backyard patch or a few grow bags on your patio, give one of these underrated heroes a go this season.
Have you tried any weird or wonderful spud varieties? Drop your favourites below—I’m always looking for something new to plant!
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