Can You Store Carrots With Potatoes

You can store carrots with potatoes, but it’s not the best idea if you want both of them to last a long time.
 
While they might seem like natural root cellar buddies, they actually have very different needs when it comes to storage.
 
In this post, we’ll look at whether you can store carrots with potatoes, why it’s usually a bad idea, and what you should do instead.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Can You Store Carrots With Potatoes?

You can store carrots with potatoes, but you’ll likely run into problems.
 
The short answer is yes, you can put them together, but it’s not recommended for long-term storage.
 
Here’s why.
 

1. They Have Different Moisture Needs

Carrots need high humidity to stay crisp and firm.
 
Potatoes, on the other hand, prefer a drier environment.
 
When you store carrots with potatoes, the potatoes will release moisture and make the carrots slimy or moldy.
 
Meanwhile, the carrots will dry out the potatoes, causing them to shrivel or sprout.
 
So storing carrots with potatoes creates a lose-lose situation for both.
 

2. Potatoes Release Ethylene Gas

Potatoes naturally emit ethylene gas as they age.
 
This gas speeds up the ripening process of nearby produce.
 
If you store carrots with potatoes, the ethylene will make your carrots turn bitter and limp much faster.
 
Carrots are sensitive to ethylene, so keeping them near potatoes is a recipe for early spoilage.
 
That’s one of the biggest reasons you shouldn’t store carrots with potatoes.
 

3. Sprouting and Rotting Issues

Potatoes tend to sprout when stored in humid conditions, which is exactly what carrots create.
 
And when potatoes sprout, they release even more ethylene, which further harms your carrots.
 
On the flip side, carrots can get soft and rubbery when stored in the dry conditions potatoes prefer.
 
So storing carrots with potatoes often leads to sprouted potatoes and rotten carrots.
 
Not a pretty picture.
 

4. Different Temperature Preferences

Carrots store best at temperatures between 32°F and 40°F.
 
Potatoes prefer slightly warmer temperatures, around 40°F to 50°F.
 
If you store carrots with potatoes, one of them will be unhappy with the temperature.
 
Too cold for potatoes, and they turn sweet and discolored.
 
Too warm for carrots, and they start to sprout or rot.
 
So you can’t win when you store carrots with potatoes.
 

Why You Shouldn’t Store Carrots With Potatoes

The main reason you shouldn’t store carrots with potatoes is that they sabotage each other.
 
The moisture carrots need is bad for potatoes.
 
The dryness potatoes need is bad for carrots.
 
The ethylene potatoes release makes carrots age faster.
 
And the humidity carrots create makes potatoes sprout.
 
So even though you can store carrots with potatoes, you’ll end up throwing away more food than you save.
 
It’s just not worth it.
 

1. Short-Term Storage Is Okay

If you’re just storing carrots with potatoes for a few days, it’s fine.
 
A day or two on the counter won’t cause major damage.
 
But for anything longer than a week, keep them separate.
 
That’s when the problems really start to show.
 
So if you must store carrots with potatoes, do it short-term only.
 

2. Long-Term Storage Requires Separation

For long-term storage, you should never store carrots with potatoes.
 
Instead, keep them in separate bins or bags.
 
Carrots do well in a plastic bag with a few holes for airflow, or wrapped in damp paper towels in the fridge.
 
Potatoes prefer a cool, dark, dry place like a pantry or cellar.
 
Keeping them apart is the best way to make both last.
 

How to Store Carrots and Potatoes Separately

If you want your carrots and potatoes to last for weeks or even months, store them separately.
 
Here’s how to do it right.
 

1. Storing Carrots

Trim the greens off your carrots before storing them.
 
The greens pull moisture from the roots and make them limp faster.
 
Then put the carrots in a container with a lid, or a plastic bag with a few holes.
 
Add a slightly damp paper towel to keep humidity high.
 
Store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
 
This keeps carrots crisp for weeks.
 

2. Storing Potatoes

Keep potatoes in a breathable container like a mesh bag, cardboard box, or paper sack.
 
Store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
 
Avoid direct light, which makes them turn green and produce solanine, a toxic compound.
 
Don’t wash potatoes before storing—moisture encourages rot.
 
And never put them in the fridge, as cold turns their starch into sugar and ruins the taste.
 

3. What About Other Root Vegetables?

If you’re wondering whether you can store carrots with potatoes and other root veggies, the answer is still no.
 
Beets, turnips, and parsnips have similar needs to carrots, so they can be stored together.
 
But potatoes should always be kept apart from those high-moisture roots.
 
So keep your potatoes solo and group your carrots with other moisture-loving roots.
 

So, Can You Store Carrots With Potatoes?

You can store carrots with potatoes, but it’s not a good idea for long-term storage.
 
They have different moisture, temperature, and ethylene needs, so storing them together leads to spoilage.
 
If you want your carrots to stay crisp and your potatoes to stay firm, keep them separate.
 
Use the tips above to store each one properly, and you’ll waste less food and enjoy better results.
 
So the next time you wonder if you can store carrots with potatoes, remember: you can, but you really shouldn’t.