Black-Eyed Susan vs Potato

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Solanaceae · vegetables

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Potato (Zones 3-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Potato
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Solanum tuberosum
Family	Asteraceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Loose, Acidic
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	South America (Andes)
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Potato

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Potato

✓Plant seed potatoes 4 inches deep, 12 inches apart.
✓Hill soil around stems as they grow.
✓Don't eat green potatoes — they contain solanine.
✓Harvest 2 weeks after vines die.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Potato if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View PotatoProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Potato grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Potato grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Potato have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Potato needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Potato?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Potato at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Potato spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Potato deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Potato is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Potato with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Potato?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Potato has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Potato
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Solanum tuberosum
Family	Asteraceae	Solanaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Loose, Acidic
Height	3'	2'
Spread	1' 6"	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	South America (Andes)
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Potato

✓Plant seed potatoes 4 inches deep, 12 inches apart.
✓Hill soil around stems as they grow.
✓Don't eat green potatoes — they contain solanine.
✓Harvest 2 weeks after vines die.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Potato if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Potato grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Potato grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Potato have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Potato needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Potato?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Potato at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Potato spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Potato deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Potato is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Potato with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Potato?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Potato has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.