Giant potato tree (Solanum wendlandii)
Care, watering, light and tips for Giant potato tree on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Giant potato tree
Solanum wendlandii, commonly known as the Giant Potatocreeper, is a vigorous and fast-growing climbing plant renowned for its striking lavender to blue-violet flowers, reminiscent of potato blossoms. With thorny stems and large leaves, it's perfect for covering pergolas, arbors, or walls, creating an impressive tropical display. Its abundant flowers, appearing in large clusters, make it an excellent choice for warm, bright gardens.
Native range
Mexico and Central America
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering, although it tolerates some partial shade in very hot climates. Watering should be regular and abundant during the growing season, reducing it in winter, and it's crucial to provide good support for climbing. It prefers rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic to neutral soils. A common mistake is not pruning it enough, which can lead to unruly growth and reduced flowering.
How to save a dying Giant potato tree
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or whitish, pale, weak leaves. Leaf or flower drop. Stunted growth. Soft stems.
- First aid
- Check watering (never soggy), light (bright but not intense direct sun), and temperature (not below 10°C). Lightly fertilize if not done in months.
- What kills it
- Overwatering in winter, lack of light or intense direct sun in summer, extreme cold or frost, lack of support.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It's a resilient plant if conditions are corrected in time.