Background: Starch is the main energy reserve of photosynthetic carbohydrates in terrestrial plants. Starch biosynthesis and quality attainment occur both in photoassimilative source leaves and in heterotrophic sink organs such as roots, tubers, seeds, and grains. Transient starch biosynthesis has a direct impact on leaf starch accumulation and the translocation of accumulated carbohydrates to storage organs. Moreover, starch biosynthesis in developing storage organs not only influences the final crop yield, but also determines the starch functionality and the processing quality of starch-based products. Plant mineral nutrients are of vital importance for plant growth and agronomic production and are thought to participate spatiotemporally in starch biosynthesis. Extensive data concerning this topic have become available during the few past decades but have not as yet been collectively reviewed and evaluated. Scope and approach: We have systemically investigated and evaluated the impact of mineral nutrients on starch biosynthesis in non-storage and storage organs by classifying individual nutrients into primary and secondary elements based on whether they are directly involved in starch biosynthesis. We have also examined the link of nutrient availability to starch cooking quality. Key findings and conclusions: Among the 16 plant nutrients considered, nine mineral elements have primary effects on transient starch biosynthesis, seven elements primarily affect storage starch biosynthesis, and six elements primarily influence the cooking quality of mature starch. An understanding of the relationship between nutrient availability and starch properties should contribute to more value-added starch products through precise fertilization under the deteriorating conditions caused by climate change.