What it is the shoo-fly plant?

The shoo-fly plant is an annual that is sometimes grown from seed to add interest to borders. However, as occasional seedlings may appear in the garden (such as from bird-sown seed or seed fallen from a bird feeder), it is sometimes thought of as a weed.

• It is a member of the Solanaceae or potato family
• The plants and fruits are not considered to be edible; there are no reports that they are harmful, although caution is advisable
• A native to South America
• Can be found on bare, waste and cultivated ground

Appearance

The shoo-fly plant is fairly distinctive;

• The shoo-fly plant has bell-shaped flowers that are most commonly pale blue and white, but there are also forms with violet flowers and with white flowers
• The flowers are short-lived, opening for only a few hours each day
• Flowers appear from June to October
• Round, green-brown fruit are encased within green or black-mottled calyces. Branches of the mature Chinese lantern-style fruits can be dried and used for winter decoration
• Height to 1.2m (4ft), spread to 1m (3¼ft)

Control

The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. 

It is usually easy to control shoofly plant, where it becomes a weed.

Cultural control

If it becomes invasive prevention of seeding is the best remedy. Young plants are easily controlled by hoeing or hand weeding.

Weedkiller control

None usually necessary as occurrence is sporadic.