A new hybrid called the potatom is growing in Ireland which combines the potato and tomato on one plant.  

The top of a cherry tomato plant and the bottom of a white potato plant have been grafted together so that both tomatoes and potatoes can be produced together on one plant. The potatom produce tomatoes grown above ground and potatoes grown underground.

Beechmount Garden Centre in Navan, Co Meath, says interest in the new plant has been huge since they went on sale last weekend.

Manager Ciara McQuaid told the Irish Examiner: “They’ve never been available in Ireland before. We’ve certainly never seen them elsewhere here. Tomatoes and potatoes are from the one family. The tomatoes ripen first and when you’ve picked them all, you can dig the plant up to get at the white potatoes which are good for everything, from mashing and roasting to boiling and making chips.”

One plant is said to produce up to 500 tomatoes and 4.4lbs of potatoes.