How to Grow Valiant
Wikimedia Commons
Valiant
Solanum tuberosum 'Valiant'
vegetableValiant is a mid-season potato variety known for its deep purple to blue skin and flesh, with excellent disease resistance and reliable yields. It produces medium to large-sized tubers with a waxy texture and firm flesh ideal for boiling, steaming, and salads. This cultivar is particularly valued for its natural anthocyanin content and strong resistance to late blight.
When should you plant Valiant in your zone?
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Example Valiant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Valiant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Valiant
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Valiant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-7, prefers cooler climates with consistent moisture
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Get my Valiant timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Piece Germination
10-14 daysSeed potatoes planted in cool, moist soil begin sprouting and developing roots. Typical soil temperature of 45-50°F.
Keep soil consistently moist. Use certified disease-free seed potatoes. Plant when soil temperature reaches at least 40°F but preferably 50°F for faster emergence.
Emergence & Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksSprouts break through soil and develop above-ground stems and compound leaves. Plant grows rapidly, establishing root system and stolons where tubers will form.
Hill soil around emerging plants as foliage develops to prevent greening of tubers. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Begin regular watering schedule.
Flowering & Tuber Initiation
2-3 weeksPlant produces purple-white flowers and underground stolons begin swelling into new tubers. This marks the beginning of the tuber bulking phase.
Continue consistent watering—this stage is critical for tuber size and yield. Monitor for late blight and apply fungicides preventatively if conditions are wet. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer if soil is poor.
Tuber Bulking & Maturation
4-6 weeksTubers rapidly increase in size as plant channels energy underground. Foliage remains healthy and green. Plants reach full size.
Maintain constant soil moisture without waterlogging. This is the longest and most critical stage for yield. Continue pest and disease monitoring. Avoid excessive nitrogen which extends growth and delays maturity.
Senescence & Harvest Readiness
2-3 weeks after flowering ceasesFoliage yellows and dies back naturally. Skin on tubers thickens and cures, signaling readiness for harvest. Plant has fully translocated energy to tubers.
Stop watering about 2 weeks before harvest to allow soil to dry slightly and skin to cure. Do not harvest until foliage is fully dead to ensure proper skin set. Harvest carefully to minimize bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles and egg clusters daily. Use neem oil or spinosad spray. Plant aromatic herbs nearby. Row covers on young plants. Rotate crops yearly.
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Use reflective mulches. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove affected foliage. Use resistant varieties like Valiant.
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Valiant has excellent resistance but still monitor in wet conditions. Remove affected foliage immediately. Apply copper fungicide preventatively in humid weather. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering.
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Spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects. Apply neem oil in early morning or evening.
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Practice crop rotation. Trap with buried potato pieces. Apply beneficial nematodes. Maintain balanced soil pH and moisture.
Uses
Boiling, Steaming & Salads
CulinaryValiant's waxy texture and firm flesh make it ideal for boiling and steaming where you want tubers to hold their shape. The deep purple color is visually striking in potato salads and provides natural visual appeal and nutrition. [source]
Color-Retaining Cooking
CulinaryThe deep purple pigmentation remains stable through most cooking methods, making Valiant excellent for impressive presentation in mashed potatoes, soups, and side dishes where the natural color is an asset. [source]
Anthocyanin Content
MedicinalPurple and blue potatoes like Valiant contain high levels of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidant compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular health benefits. These phytonutrients are more concentrated than in white or yellow varieties. [source]
Natural Dye
HouseholdThe deep purple pigments in Valiant potatoes can be extracted and used as a natural food coloring or botanical dye for textiles and crafts without synthetic additives. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe purple-white flowers of Valiant potatoes attract bees and other pollinators during the growing season, providing forage and supporting garden biodiversity while the plant produces tubers. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when foliage has completely died back and skin is fully set (typically 90-110 days after planting in spring, or 60-80 days for early varieties). Dig carefully with a fork to minimize bruising and cutting. Allow harvested potatoes to cure in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 10-14 days before storage. Store at 45-50°F in darkness with good air circulation. Properly cured tubers store 4-6 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Valiant potatoes owe their striking purple color to anthocyanins, the same beneficial compounds that make blueberries and blackberries nutritious—making it one of the few staple vegetables with significant antioxidant content.
- 🌱 The deep pigmentation in Valiant's skin and flesh is so stable that even cooking methods like boiling don't remove the color, making it a naturally colorful ingredient that appeals to modern food presentation trends.
- 🌱 Valiant was specifically bred for its exceptional resistance to late blight, the same fungal disease (Phytophthora infestans) that caused the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1852, making it a more reliable crop for gardeners in humid climates.
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