Skip to Content

WNC woman now holds Guinness World Record for growing tallest potato plant

By Brittany Whitehead

Click here for updates on this story

    NEBO, North Carolina (WLOS) — It’s official — a McDowell County woman’s potato plant has set a world record.

In August 2023, News 13 spotlighted Cecelia Smith in a Carolina Moment feature.

The Nebo woman grew her plant, named “Gertrude,” and it has reached a height of 11 feet, 3 inches.

It all started when she watched a video on how to grow a rose from a potato. Smith asked her mother for a rose from her then-recent Valentine’s Day bouquet, and from there, the rest is history.

She contacted the Guinness Book of Records, which confirmed for her that Gertrude was, in fact, the tallest potato plant in the world.

Previously, a plant grown by a man from the United Kingdom held the record at 9 feet, 4.1 inches tall.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3-12 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content