Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, except potato crop. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, except potato crop - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in an open, frost-free site in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Improve soil with organic matter such as well-rooted manure in the autumn. Earth-up plants as they grow to protect from frost and prevent developing tubers from being exposed to light. Water well in dry periods. See Grow-Your-Own Potatoes for further information
Propagation
Grow from tubers known as 'seed potatoes' sprouted or 'chitted' prior to planting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, cutworms, wireworms, leaf and bud eelworm and potato cyst eelworm
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), potato blight, potato scab, potato tuber rots, potato blackleg and stem canker
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.