Solanum

New Zealand’s Best Solanum Plants

Adding colourful climbers to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the right variety of Potato Vine for your space in our large range of plants. These have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Solanum plants, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Solanum

1. Is Solanum fast growing?

Solanum species are generally fast-growing. Solanum jasminoides, for example, is a fast-growing, hardy evergreen climber that can grow up to 3m tall and wide in a single season. It is a popular choice for covering fences and walls, and it produces masses of fragrant, white flowers in summer and autumn.

Solanum crispum, also known as the Chilean potato bush, is another fast-growing Solanum species. It can grow up to 6m tall and 3m wide in a single season, and it produces clusters of fragrant, purple-blue flowers in summer and autumn.

Solanum macranthum, also known as the giant potato tree, is a fast-growing, tender perennial that can grow up to 9m tall in a single season. It produces large, white flowers in summer and autumn, and it is a popular choice for growing in containers.

2. Is Solanum self clinging?

Most Solanum species are not self-clinging. They need some support to grow up walls or fences. Some popular Solanum species for climbing walls and fences include Solanum jasminoides, Solanum crispum, and Solanum macranthum. These species can be trained to climb by attaching them to a trellis, lattice, or other support structure.

3. Does Solanum like sun or shade?

Solanum is a diverse genus of plants that includes many popular food crops, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. The genus also includes a large number of ornamental plants, such as nightshade vines and Jerusalem cherry. The ideal growing conditions for Solanum plants vary depending on the species.

In general, most Solanum species prefer full sun to partial shade. This means that they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, some Solanum species can tolerate more shade than others. For example, Solanum jasminoides, a popular nightshade vine, can grow in full shade.

4. Should I cut back my Solanum?

Whether or not you should cut back your Solanum plant depends on the species and the desired growth habit. However, in general, most Solanum species benefit from some pruning to maintain their shape and encourage flowering.

Here are some general guidelines for pruning Solanum plants:

• Spring is the best time to prune most Solanum species. This is when the plants are starting to grow and are less likely to be stressed by pruning.
• Prune away any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
• Thin out congested branches to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.
• Shape the plant to your desired form. For example, you can prune a Solanum jasminoides vine to climb a trellis or wall, or you can prune a Solanum nigrum shrub to keep it compact.

5. Where is the best place to plant Solanum?

The best place to plant Solanum depends on the species and the desired growing conditions. Here are some general guidelines for planting Solanum:

• Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Most Solanum species prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Choose a location with well-drained soil. Solanum plants do not like to sit in continuously wet soil.
• Choose a location that is sheltered from strong winds to avoid damage to plants.
• Solanum plants need to be watered regularly, especially during the hot summer months.

6. Does a Solanum lose its leaves in winter?

Whether or not a Solanum plant loses its leaves in winter depends on the species and the climate. Some Solanum species, such as Solanum jasminoides and Solanum crispum, are semi-evergreen, which means that they may lose some of their leaves in winter, but they will typically retain some green foliage. Other Solanum species, such as Solanum nigrum and Solanum lycopersicum, are deciduous, which means that they lose all of their leaves in winter.

The climate also plays a role in whether or not a Solanum plant loses its leaves in winter. Plants grown in warmer climates are more likely to retain their leaves than plants grown in colder climates.