Potato Vine Care
Potato Vine, botanically known as Solanum jasminoides or Solanum laxum, is a fast-growing and easy to care for an evergreen vine. If the clusters of white flowers look familiar that’s because this plant is in the Nightshade family alongside potatoes and tomatoes.
Here in Santa Barbara it flowers all year long with the heaviest bloom being in the Spring – it gets covered in white. It grows very densely and the new growth tendrils out like the snakes on Medusa’s head – crazy wild!
I have one of these vines growing on my side fence which I keep pruned to a very small scale. It looks very different than my neighbor’s. In my years as a professional gardener I maintained quite a few of these. Here’s are a few other things you need to know about this plant if you have one or plan to buy one:
*This vine grows to 25′.
* It needs full or part sun.
*Water it regularly when establishing. After that, it’s fairly drought tolerant.
* The best time to give it a major prune is after the major bloom (late Spring). Here it can be nipped all year long because we rarely get a freeze.
*Pay attention to how big it gets & how fast it grows. It is best planted on a tall,long fence or large arbor. My neighbor planted 4 plants on a low, short expanse of fence which is major overkill. I know we all want instant gratification but those 1 gallon plants grow like beanstalks!
* It can take a range of environmental conditions but does need a means of support and needs training.
* It’s not fussy as to fertilizer. Amend with a good organic compost when planting and then apply more once a year. As with most plants, it likes good drainage.
* It’s hardy to 20-25 degrees.
This is a dense growing plant. Some of that new growth grows back on the old growth. That’s why a few prunes a year are recommended to keep it from becoming the man eating vine it wants to be.
The Potato Vine foliage is very fresh in appearance and the plant has an overall lacy feel. So you can see this is not a small scale vine but it is a very popular landscape plant because of its almost non-top profusion of white starry flower clusters and easy care. Relatively easy care that is – all I can say is that if you get this plant, then you’d better like pruning!
Here I am up close & personal with my neighbor’s Potato Vine:
Do you like vines? Here are some links to some other beautiful vine options:
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
Hi Andy – Potato Vine, like all fast growing vines 20’+, is best kept pruned & trimmed from the start. It does tend to get “ratty” if left to grow on its own. It’s a common vine so you can always replant & keep it well pruned. Most vines grow that way except for deciduous ones which are easier to manage. I’m a fan of large shrubs which you can more easily keep looking good (like Grewia, lavender star flower, which may or may not grow in your area) & can be espaliered. Nell
Hi Nell, I have a very healthy Potato Vine growing in Taupo New Zealand- I am a Senior male and suffering with a stuffy nose , I have had a allergy test and am told a plant is creating my problem Could it be my Potato Vine ? I think it is– any one out their with a similar problem . Have you heard of this before?
Hi Arthur – I used to live in California here there were a lot of Potato Vines planted – they’re a very popular landscape plant. I’ve never heard of anyone being allergic to this plant. I was extremely sensitive to Pink Jasmine & Star Jasmine because of the heavy scents but I never had an issue with Potato Vine. Nell
Hi. I am in Orange County Ca and I planted about 15 Solanum jasminoides along my back and side fence. But they won’t grow! Most are under a large tree but not all. They get partial sun, not a lot. We water regularly but they just don’t grow. Most look like sticks now. We planted about 1 1/2 years ago. Any advice?! Help.
Thanks.
Hi Blake – Solanum jasminoides usually grow like crazy, even in the 1st year. They need a good amount of sun, well drained soil, regular water to get established & room to grow. I’d say it sounds like lack of light. Nell
I cut down a large potato vine plant, and a friend wants to grow it in pots over a trellis. Should I put the cuttings in water or in soil and water frequently to establish a root system?
Hi Cynthia – With Potato Vine, it’s best to take softwood cuttings (3-6″ long) & root them in a propagation mix. I’ve never tried rooting them in water. Nell
Hi Nell, I live in Australia in a cool climate (warm summers to 28 cold winters to -8). I have a potato vine growing in full sun. I water it regularly and itt seems to be growing very well but the leaves are very curled up and are not bright green like my neighbour’s (which is stunning).
Do you have any idea as to what the problem might be?
Thank you,
Vicki
Vicki – I’m not quite sure but here are a few things which mite cause it: spider mite infestation, not getting a deep enough watering, or poor drainage. Hope that helps, Nell
Hi Nell, I live in Oakland and have two of these vines growing on trellises on either side of a large arched window – I trained them so they now meet atop the arch which was looking great, at first. You are right about the “man-eating plant” bit — they are now growing out from the house onto electric cable and nearby trees! It’s at a height that’s hard to get to for pruning. Could you recommend another vine that can take lots of sun but won’t behave like the creature from the deep? I like the fact that solanum is evergreen, and it seems to bloom pretty nonstop. Thanks for any thoughts!
Anne