Consulta Plantas

Care of the climbing plant Solanum jasminoides or Potato vine

The genus Solanum, family Solanaceae, comprises 1,700 species distributed throughout the planet. Some species are: Solanum jasminoides, Solanum giganteum, Solanum wendlandii, Solanum rantonnetii, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum capsicastrum, Solanum crispum, Solanum pyracanthum, Solanum evening, Solanum melongena, Solanum mauritianum.

Common names: Jasmine nightshade, Potato vine, Potato climber. This species is native to Mexico and Central America.

They are perennial climbing plants that have deep green, heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are white or light blue in color, have 5 petals and appear in bunches.

They are used to cover fences, walls and pergolas and in pots of 60 cm (23.6") deep by 40 cm (15.74") wide at least. They need supports or help to climb.

Solanum jasminoides needs full sun exposure and protected from the wind. They resist occasional frosts.

The soil can be normal garden soil, fertilized with compost and 1/3 coarse sand to facilitate good drainage. The transplant is done at the end of winter.

Water frequently so that the soil never gets completely dry but never floods.

Prune after flowering to control growth and strengthen the plant.

Fertilize with manure or compost at planting time and in spring and summer with mineral fertilizer every 15 days.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated by seeds sown in spring, by layering in early summer and by cuttings in mid-summer.

Images of the climbing plant Solanum jasminoides or Potato vine