Solanum wendlandii

RHS Plant Profile

giant potato creeper

Other common names

paradise flower, potato vine

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse

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A tender, woody plant that will grow as a climber with support. Hooked prickles appear on branches and the stalks of green leaves. Pale purple flowers, about 5cm in diameter, appear in summer and are followed by orange, poisonous fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained fertile soil in full sun. Could be grown outside during summer

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Climber and wall shrubs
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 12 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and grey moulds