Solanum
Nightshade
Also known as Cyphomandra
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 5m × 0.4m – 5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring, Summer & early Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
One of the largest plant families, which includes climbers, shrubs and even vegetables such as potato and tomato. Latin for sun (sol), it has some famous poisonous members, like Deadly Nightshade, said to be used in witches' magic potions. Well known plants are the summer flowering climbers, with white or blue star-shaped blooms, often with a yellow centre. Some produce berries and can grow 6m.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Mauve, Purple, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Orange, Red, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 5m
- Spread
- 0.4m – 5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Scented garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- genus houseplant temperature varies
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Indoors
Feed some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus require additional feeding. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
Indoors
Mist some plant varieties
Some plant varieties within this genus require misting. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance.
Indoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance, and/or check the label.
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
Minimum temperatures vary
Plant varieties within this genus have differing requirements for minimum temperature. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.
Found in
More Solanum
Solanum crispum
Chilean potato tree, Climbing potato
Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'
Chilean potato tree, Climbing potato
Solanum laxum 'Album'
Potato vine, Jasmine nightshade
Solanum capsicastrum
Christmas cherry, Winter cherry, False Jerusalem cherry
Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet, Climbing nightshade, Poisonous nightshade
Solanum dulcamara 'Variegatum'
Bittersweet, Climbing nightshade, Poisonous nightshade
Solanum jasminoides 'Variegata'
Potato vine, Jasmine nightshade
Solanum laxum
Potato vine, Jasmine nightshade