There are more than 5,000 potato varieties grown around the world, each with its own flavor, texture, and best use in the kitchen. From fluffy russets perfect for baking to waxy fingerlings made for salads, knowing your varieties changes how you cook.
Potatoes fall into a few big families: starchy bakers, creamy goldens, waxy reds and whites, colorful blues and purples, and elegant fingerlings. Once you know which is which, picking the right potato becomes second nature.
We have rounded up 300 potato varieties into 10 themed collections below, right here on The Name Ideas. And for more kitchen inspiration, check out our mashed potato toppings ideas too.
Russet and Baking Potato Varieties
High-starch classics with fluffy interiors — the kings of baked potatoes and crispy fries.
- Russet Burbank
- Russet Norkotah
- Ranger Russet
- Umatilla Russet
- Canela Russet
- Shepody
- Frontier Russet
- Century Russet
- HiLite Russet
- Lemhi Russet
- Nooksack Russet
- Amisk Russet
- Caribou Russet
- Clearwater Russet
- Defender Russet
- Gem Russet
- Ivory Russet
- Owyhee Russet
- Pallida Russet
- Premier Russet
- Teton Russet
- Wallowa Russet
- Alturas Russet
- Blazer Russet
- Classic Russet
- Highland Russet
- Mountain Gem Russet
- Payette Russet
- Reveille Russet
- Targhee Russet
Red-Skinned Potato Varieties
Waxy, thin-skinned reds that hold their shape — perfect for roasting and potato salads.
- Red Norland
- Dark Red Norland
- Red Pontiac
- Red LaSoda
- La Rouge
- Viking Red
- Chieftain
- Sangre
- Red Ruby
- NorDonna
- Red Gold
- All Red
- Desiree
- Rooster
- Rudolph
- Red Scarlett
- Laura
- Red Emmalie
- Cheyenne
- Red Thumb
- Adirondack Red
- Mountain Rose
- Dark Red Chieftain
- Red Maria
- Peter Wilcox
- Strawberry Paw
- Ciklamen
- Red Fantasy
- Red Sonia
- Cranberry Red
Golden and Yellow-Flesh Varieties
Buttery, golden-fleshed all-rounders — great mashed, roasted, or in gratins.
- Yukon Gold
- Yellow Finn
- German Butterball
- Nicola
- Bintje
- Charlotte
- Roseval
- Milva
- Belmonda
- Jelly
- Innovator
- Marabel
- Agria
- Annabelle
- Anuschka
- Ballerina
- Cilena
- Ditta
- Gala
- Granola
- Linda
- Maranca
- Melody
- Musica
- Natascha
- Otolia
- Pirol
- Queen Anne
- Sunita
- Valetta
White Round Potato Varieties
Classic American white rounds — the workhorses of chips and mashing.
- Kennebec
- Katahdin
- Superior
- Irish Cobbler
- Atlantic
- Snowden
- Pike
- Onaway
- Chippewa
- Sebago
- Pungo
- Belchip
- Eva
- Lamoka
- Waneta
- Beacon Chipper
- Elba
- Keuka Gold
- Liberator
- Norwis
- Reba
- Andover
- Envol
- Ivory Crisp
- Megachip
- Monticello
- Norchip
- Saginaw Gold
- Wauseon
- White Pearl
Fingerling Potato Varieties
Small, knobby, and full of flavor — fingerlings roast beautifully and look stunning on the plate.
- Russian Banana
- French Fingerling
- Rose Finn Apple
- Purple Peruvian
- Austrian Crescent
- German Kipfler
- La Ratte
- Pink Fir Apple
- Ruby Crescent
- Banana Fingerling
- Ozette
- Swedish Peanut
- King Harry
- Magic Molly
- Ama Rosa
- Cherie
- Anya
- Ratte du Touquet
- Valery
- Vitelotte
- Pinto Gold
- Red Fingerling
- French Rose
- Salad Blue
- Peanut Fingerling
- Longhorn
- Carola
- Tessa
- Purple Rain
- Purple Pelisse
Purple and Blue Potato Varieties
Striking blue and purple flesh packed with anthocyanins — as nutritious as they are beautiful.
- Purple Majesty
- Adirondack Blue
- All Blue
- Purple Viking
- Blue Mac
- Congo
- Russian Blue
- Blue Belle
- Blue Marker
- Blue Tomcat
- Purple Haze
- Purple Heart
- Purple Fiesta
- Purple Sun
- Highland Burgundy Red
- Violetta
- Vitelotte Noire
- Blackberry
- Blue Danube
- Valfi
- Blue Star
- Blue Suede
- Midnight
- Shetland Black
- Urenika
- Blaue Anneliese
- Blaue St. Galler
- Blue Saphir
- Bleu de la Manche
- Blue Congo
Heirloom and Heritage Varieties
Old-time favorites with deep roots — the varieties your grandparents grew.
- Garnet Chili
- Early Rose
- Green Mountain
- Rural New Yorker
- Triumph
- Burbank
- Early Ohio
- Beauty of Hebron
- Peachblow
- White Star
- Dakota Red
- Houma
- Norgold
- Irish Eyes
- Caribe
- Red Cloud
- Lookout Mountain
- Russet Nugget
- White Rose
- Warba
- Tolaas
- Arran Pilot
- Arran Victory
- British Queen
- Duke of York
- Epicure
- Golden Wonder
- Kerrs Pink
- Majestic
- Record
Classic European Varieties
The varieties behind Europe’s best-loved dishes — from British chips to French gratins.
- Maris Piper
- King Edward
- Pentland Crown
- Pentland Javelin
- Cara
- Estima
- Kondor
- Saturna
- Markies
- Challenger
- Hermes
- Lady Rosetta
- Lady Claire
- Verdi
- Ramos
- Fontane
- Victoria
- Mozart
- Almera
- Arsenal
- Babylon
- Bernina
- Connect
- Esmee
- Georgina
- Jazzy
- Lady Balfour
- Lady Olympia
- Marilyn
- Miranda
Modern Commercial Varieties
Newer releases bred for yield, disease resistance, and processing quality.
- Dakota Crisp
- Dakota Diamond
- Dakota Jewel
- Dakota Pearl
- Dakota Russet
- Alpine Russet
- Bannock Russet
- GemStar Russet
- Galena Russet
- Vanguard Russet
- Echo Russet
- Freedom Russet
- Keystone Russet
- Mercury Russet
- Mercury Gold
- Dakota Trailblazer
- Modoc
- Castle Russet
- Rainier Russet
- Pomerelle Russet
- Aquilon
- Amandine
- Yukon Gem
- Palisade Russet
- Taurus
- Colomba
- Destiny
- Elfe
- Inova
- Kingsman
Waxy Salad and Specialty Varieties
Firm, waxy potatoes that slice cleanly — made for salads and gratins. Round out your potato knowledge with our mashed potato toppings guide.
- Franceline
- Belle de Fontenay
- BF 15
- Pompadour
- Monalisa
- Sieglinde
- Hansa
- Afra
- Quarta
- Solara
- Secura
- Marena
- Tomensa
- Vitabella
- Princess
- Rosara
- Red Duke of York
- Sharpe’s Express
- Ulster Prince
- Ulster Sceptre
- Home Guard
- Foremost
- Dunbar Standard
- Edzell Blue
- Arran Banner
- Arran Comet
- Arran Consul
- Arran Peak
- Swift
- Rocket
Which potato variety is best for baking?
Russet Burbank is the classic baking potato — high starch gives a fluffy interior and crisp skin. Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet are excellent alternatives.
What is the difference between waxy and starchy potatoes?
Starchy potatoes (like russets) fall apart when cooked — ideal for mashing and baking. Waxy potatoes (like reds and fingerlings) hold their shape, making them perfect for salads and roasting.
Which potatoes are best for mashing?
Yukon Gold makes the creamiest mash, while russets give a light, fluffy texture. For the silkiest result, many cooks blend the two.
Can you eat purple potato skin?
Yes — the skin is edible and packed with nutrients. Just scrub well, and avoid any green spots, which indicate solanine.
Are purple potatoes natural?
Completely. Their color comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries and blackberries. Purple varieties have been grown for centuries in the Andes.
From russets to fingerlings to striking blues, these 300 varieties prove the humble potato is anything but boring. Pick a few to grow or cook with this season — your taste buds will thank you.
Found a new favorite? Share this list with a fellow food lover, and keep exploring at The Name Ideas.
