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 Anne – Most vines grow like crazy & tend to take over after a while. Some of the Clematis stay smaller & are easier to control. Pretty flowers too. Also, climbing roses. You might check out a shrub like the Lavender Star Flower (Grewia) which is fairly easy to espalier. I used to work at Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. You could check & see what they have in stock. Nell
Hello Nell,
Thank you for doing such awesome work in the world!! Wondering if I can keep a potato vine in a pot vs. planting in the ground. How about Jasmine (star or pink)? Can I keep them in a pot vs. planting. I’ve got a few places that I would like some climbers yet to keep in a pot.
Thank you kindly,
Candra
Hello Nell,
Thank you for doing such awesome work in the world!! Wodering if I can keep a potato vine in a pot vs. planting in the ground. I’ve got a few places that I would like some climbers yet to keep in a pot.
Thank you kindly,
Candra
Candra – You’re very welcome! Yes, you can grow PV in containers. The taller it gets, the bigger the pot you’ll need. Also, you’ll most likely need to water it more than in the ground. Nell
Candra – All of them can be grown in containers. The SJ is especially suited to containers as it tends to stay a little smaller. Nell
Hi Nell, My three white potato vines were climbing up the pergola posts nicely, but now they are drying out. What should I do? Could it be that the soil is too compact and their roots aren’t expanding. I feel like they should be getting enough water – we have smart sprinklers. I planted them in March. They were doing so well until they took a turn and I don’t know what to do. Thanks!
Hi Lara – It’s hard to say without knowing more details. That is most commonly a watering issue, too much or too little. Nell