In the fallout of Peter Dutton's failed leadership bid against Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday, social media has lit up with calls to #PutOutYourPotatoes.

It's reminiscent of 2015, when #PutOutYourOnions trended after Tony Abbott lost the party leadership to Mr Turnbull.

Then, it was about Mr Abbott's infamous onion-eating episode, while the latest vegetable tribute apparently references Mr Dutton's appearance.

Social media posts show potatoes being placed on doorways and windowsills around the country.

Turnbull wins 48-35, inconceivable Dutton remains on the front bench #putoutyourpotatoes pic.twitter.com/jbirdtEaj3 — Comrade Weez (@weezmgk) August 20, 2018

Mr Turnbull emerged victorious in a sudden Liberal leadership ballot early Tuesday, seeing off Mr Dutton in a 48-35 split of Liberal party members.

Mr Dutton has now resigned his position as Home Affairs Minister and will move to the backbench.

READ MORE Dutton dismisses reports he’s ineligible to sit in Parliament

The prime minister thanked Mr Dutton for his "outstanding" work as Home Affairs Minister and said he had invited Mr Dutton to remain in cabinet.

"He said to me that he doesn't feel he can remain in the cabinet having challenged me to the leadership of the party," Mr Turnbull told reporters.

Treasurer Scott Morrison will be acting Home Affairs Minister for now, with a ministry reshuffle on the way.