Genus: Solanum

A hugely diverse genus of about 1,400 species that includes annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs, trees and climbers coming from habitats all over the world.

Many species are poisonous but the well known exceptions are Solanum melongena (Aubergine) and Solanum tuberosum or potato! In South America the fruits of certain species are used as they are very attractive to cockroaches, mites and insects – to whom they are fatal…

The Chilean potato tree (S. crispum) often looks and behaves like a tree but is actually a climber that grows wild in Chile and Peru.

Solanum photos

  • Solanum taken 13th July 2008 (Solanum crispum glasnevin (Chilean potato tree))
    By KerryJoe
  • First flowers on my Solanum laxum! (Solanum laxum)
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum rantonnetii 'Royal Robe' (Solanum rantonnetii (Royal Robe))
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum.jpg (Solanum crispum)
    By AndreaRi..
  • Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' (Solanum crispum (Chilean potato tree)'Glasnevin')
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' (Solanum crispum (Chilean potato tree)'Glasnevin')
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum buds (Solanum rantonnetii (Royal Robe))
    By spritzhe..
  • solonum jasminoides  (Solanum jasminoides (Potato Vine))
    By RachelSc..
  • Solanum flower in the rain. (Solanum laxum)
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum jasminoides 'Album' (Solanum jasminoides)
    By AndrewR
  • Solanum (Solanum rantonnetii)
    By maple
  • potatoes  (Solanum tuberosum)
    By Tussiemu..
  • Potatoes i (Solanum tuberosum)
    By Tussiemu..
  • Aubergine (Solanum melongena)
    By Tussiemu..
  • solanum tub (Solanum rantonnetii)
    By spritzhe..
  • solanum crispum on the wall (Solanum crispum Glasnevin)
    By spritzhe..
  • Solanum crispum (Solanum crispum)
    By joey

more...

Species of Solanum

Members growing plants in this genus

  • joey

    Joey

    joined 28 Feb, 2007

    30 plants

  • Tussiemussie

    Tussiemussie

    joined 17 Jun, 2007

    45 plants

  • maple

    Maple

    joined 15 May, 2007

    15 plants

  • AndrewR

    Andrewr

    joined 7 Aug, 2007

    495 plants

  • spritzhenry

    Spritzhenry

    joined 17 Jun, 2007

    511 plants

  • nic28

    Nic28

    joined 4 Nov, 2007

    2 plants

  • AndreaRichter

    Andrearichter

    joined 15 Nov, 2007

    71 plants

  • Elitza

    Elitza

    joined 6 Jan, 2008

    11 plants

  • RachelScott_Renouf

    Rachelscott..

    joined 3 Feb, 2008

    35 plants

  • Xela

    Xela

    joined 1 Mar, 2008

    218 plants

  • Littledove

    Littledove

    joined 15 Apr, 2008

    12 plants

  • rain4nights

    Rain4nights

    joined 15 Feb, 2008

    16 plants

  • Janette

    Janette

    joined 7 Feb, 2008

    224 plants

  • KerryJoe

    Kerryjoe

    joined 9 Jul, 2008

    68 plants

Comments:

joannie

Joannie

8 Jul, 2008

 

I love your garden and what an idealic place to sit and relax with a cup of tea and a good book!

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

24 May, 2008

 

Non, it has got a blue pot - but a smaller one. HOWEVER, as it has grown, I had a struggle to get it back in, so I shall have to a) use the big blue pot, b) buy another one! Guess which option I prefer! When the other plants round its base have grown and are in flower, I will post another photo. I am very proud of myself for getting it this far! Yah boo sucks to B&Q for telling me 'One season only'!

MikeC

Mikec

24 May, 2008

 

Certainly worth over-wintering. Is this the plant in the blue pot ? The blue pot that you kindly posted a full view photo pour mois ?

AndreaRichter

Andrearichter

22 May, 2008

 

This is Solanum Crispum Glasnevin or the Chilean Potato Vine.
Deadly Nightshade is related and the botanical name is Solanum dulcamara, all related to the potato

On photo - Untitled

Gillian

Gillian

22 May, 2008

 

Deadly Nightshade?

On photo - Untitled

jacque

Jacque

21 May, 2008

 

I can see why the Bees Love it as i also thinks its A Outstanding Climber :D

fruity46

Fruity46

7 May, 2008

 

I must say your Solanum looks healthy than mine all I have is last years branches and nothing happening to it this year

Littledove

Littledove

26 Apr, 2008

 

such a beautiful flower :)

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

8 Jan, 2008

 

Be aware that the berries are poisonous, won't you! Likes to be cool, bright light,moist compost, mist leaves frequently. Prune stems back by a half in February, keep compost nearly dry then repot in March. Stand pot outside for the summer, spray flowers, bringing it back indoors in September. Good luck! P.S. I hope that the website advice Darryluk gave you agrees with my book!

On question - Solanum pseudocapsicum

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

8 Jan, 2008

 

Be aware that the berries are poisonous, won't you! Likes to be cool, bright light,moist compost, mist leaves frequently. Prune stems back by a half in February, keep compost nearly dry then repot in March. Stand pot outside for the summer, spray flower, bringing it back indoors in September. Good luck! P.S. I hope that the website advice Darryluk gave you agrees with my book!

On question - Solanum pseudocapsicum

AndrewR

Andrewr

7 Jan, 2008

 

That plant takes me back to my childhood. It self sowed everywhere in my grandparents' front garden in coastal Devon

On question - Solanum pseudocapsicum

darryluk

Darryluk

7 Jan, 2008

 

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Jerusalemcherry.htm should tell you what you need.

On question - Solanum pseudocapsicum

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

23 Sep, 2007

 

THAT is what I plan for the central climber in my new border. Please give me some hints on growing it, Andrew!

maple

Maple

20 Aug, 2007

 

I think what I'll have to do is clip it in the autumn and keep fleece handy for nights after about the 30th November. It's our cold winds that are the problem rather than frost. We don't tend to get heavy frost so fleece should do the trick but watch this space

On photo - Solanum

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

19 Aug, 2007

 

Nice to see another one - will you be able to let it stay out for the winter? Mine will have to go in the greenhouse, it's not hardy under 7 degrees, apparently. It has flowered and flowered through rain, wind and sometimes sun this year.

On photo - Solanum

hoya105

Hoya105

11 Jul, 2007

 

Yes! had it for many years - does well from cuttings, keep frost free over winter, cut back in spring and keep out to flower all summer! Good to grow as a standard or bush - depending where you are you might get away with growing it as a wall shrub in a sheltered spot - I got away with it for a few years then lost it!

On question - Solanum overwintering

grindle

Grindle

9 Jul, 2007

 

Looks a nice relaxing area

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

21 Jun, 2007

 

Thanks Wyeboy for your advice - I shall certainly try!

Also thanks for your comment maple - I love the colour!

On question - Solanum overwintering

maple

Maple

21 Jun, 2007

 

No answer for your question sorry but that is beautiful.

On question - Solanum overwintering

hoya105

Hoya105

19 Jun, 2007

 

What a beautiful corner to sit in!

Wyeboy

Wyeboy

18 Jun, 2007

 

It is not hardy but you could grow it in a pot and cut it back hard in the Autumn,keep it frost free, feed it in the Spring and it will go for many years

On question - Solanum overwintering

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

17 Jun, 2007

 

I have a standard Solanum - the plant label says '1 season only!' I hope i can overwinter it. Is this photo Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'?

On photo - Solanum crispum

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

17 Jun, 2007

 

That is me having a well-earned rest!