Potato vs Red Maple

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

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

Solanaceae · vegetables

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Potato (Zones 3-10)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Potato	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Solanum tuberosum	Acer rubrum
Family	Solanaceae	Aceraceae
Category	vegetables	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Loose, Acidic	Adaptable
Height	2'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White, Purple	Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	South America (Andes)	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Potato

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View PotatoProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Potato and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Potato grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Potato and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Potato needs full sun and medium water, while Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Potato or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Potato at 2'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Potato spreads 1' 6".

Are Potato and Red Maple deer resistant?

Red Maple is deer resistant, but Potato is not. If deer are a concern, Red Maple is the better choice, or protect Potato with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Potato or Red Maple?

Potato has medium maintenance while Red Maple has low maintenance. Red Maple may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Potato	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Solanum tuberosum	Acer rubrum
Family	Solanaceae	Aceraceae
Category	vegetables	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Loose, Acidic	Adaptable
Height	2'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	White, Purple	Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	South America (Andes)	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Potato and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Potato grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Potato and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Potato needs full sun and medium water, while Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Potato or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Potato at 2'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Potato spreads 1' 6".

Are Potato and Red Maple deer resistant?

Red Maple is deer resistant, but Potato is not. If deer are a concern, Red Maple is the better choice, or protect Potato with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Potato or Red Maple?

Potato has medium maintenance while Red Maple has low maintenance. Red Maple may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.