Blue Potato Bush Lycianthes rantonnetii

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Commonly known as the Blue Potato Bush, this attractive shrub features dense foliage of dark green, lance-shaped leaves which create a lush backdrop for its showy flowers. The blossoms are vibrant, with a deep purplish-blue hue and a yellow center, resembling small stars strewn across the green canvas. These flowers typically bloom in clusters and are a stark contrast to the deep green foliage, making the Blue Potato Bush a striking ornamental choice for gardeners. Despite its common name, there is no relation to potatoes in its appearance; the name is derived from the resemblance of its fruits to small potatoes. Its growth habit is generally bushy and sprawling, which makes it an excellent choice for a splash of color in garden borders, when used as a hedge, or even in a container for patio decoration. The Blue Potato Bush can flower throughout the warmer months, providing a consistent display of its charming blue blossoms.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Blue Potato Bush, Paraguay Nightshade, Blue Lycianthes
- Common names
  Solanum rantonnetii, Solanum rantonnetti, Lycianthes rantonnetii 'Royal Robe', Lycianthes rantonnetii 'Variegata'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Blue Potato Bush is not widely reported to be toxic to humans, but ingesting plant parts is not advisable due to potential risks typical with non-edible ornamental plants. If by any means it causes poisoning, symptoms could hypothetically include gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There could also be potential for allergic reactions in some individuals. If ingestion occurs, it is best to seek medical advice.
- To pets
  Blue Potato Bush is not reported to be highly toxic to pets, but as with many ornamental plants, it is not intended for consumption, and eating the plant could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in pets. Symptoms of mild poisoning might include vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. If a pet ingests this plant and shows adverse symptoms, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  6 feet [1.8 meters]
- Spread
  5 feet [1.5 meters]
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Blue Potato Bush produces attractive blue or purple flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and arid environments.
- Rapid Growth: It has a fast growth rate, allowing for quick establishment and filling in of garden spaces.
- Hedge or Screen: Due to its dense foliage, Lycianthes rantonnetii can be used as a hedge or privacy screen.
- Attracts Wildlife: Its flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Container Gardening: It can be grown in pots or containers, making it versatile for people with limited space or for patio decoration.
- Low Maintenance: The Blue Potato Bush requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Year-round Interest: In mild climates, it may bloom throughout the year, providing ongoing color and interest.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Lycianthes rantonnetii, commonly known as Blue Potato Bush, can be used for creating natural dyes, as certain parts of the plant may contain pigments suitable for fabric coloring.
- The woody stems of the Blue Potato Bush can be fashioned into small handcrafted items, such as ornamental walking sticks, due to their robust nature.
- Its dense foliage can provide a natural privacy screen or windbreak when planted in hedge form around the perimeter of a property.
- Blue Potato Bush flowers can be used in potpourri mixes, adding a splash of color and a mild fragrance to the mixture.
- The plant's vibrant flowers can be a natural source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Blue Potato Bush can be utilized in butterfly gardens to attract and sustain butterfly populations due to its appealing flowers.
- When dried, branches from the Blue Potato Bush can be used to create rustic wreaths and other decorative floral arrangements.
- In educational settings, the Blue Potato Bush can be used for botanical studies, helping students learn about plant growth and care.
- Its ability to adapt to container living makes it an ideal candidate for balcony gardens, adding greenery to urban environments.
- The plant's striking blue flowers are sometimes used in wedding bouquets or floral decorations to provide a unique touch of color.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Blue Potato Bush is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Blue Potato Bush is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Passionate Love: Also known by its common name, Blue Potato Bush, Lycianthes rantonnetii's deep blue-purple flowers are reminiscent of the intense and deep emotions characteristic of passionate love.
- Tranquility: The Blue Potato Bush is often found in serene garden settings, symbolizing peace and tranquility. Its calming presence is thought to bring a quiet, restful energy to any space.
- Enchantment: The bright color and charming appearance of Lycianthes rantonnetii can symbolize enchantment, casting a 'spell' of beauty in the garden that captivates and mesmerizes onlookers.
- Innovation: As a less common ornamental plant, the Blue Potato Bush may represent innovation and confidence in choosing the unique and less-traveled path.
- Persistence: Lycianthes rantonnetii is known for being a hardy shrub that can bloom throughout the year in the right conditions. This resilience is symbolic of persistence and the ability to push through difficult circumstances.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii) prefers even moisture, so it's important to establish a consistent watering schedule. During the growing season, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, which might translate to approximately once per week, but this can vary based on climate and soil conditions. Each watering should be deep enough to moisten the soil to around 6-8 inches; for a medium-sized shrub, this is often around 1-2 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant and environmental factors. In hotter, drier periods, more frequent watering may be necessary, while in winter, watering should be reduced.
Light
Blue Potato Bush thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and flowering. A location that offers unfiltered sunlight for most of the day is ideal, such as a southern or western exposure if grown indoors near a window or in a sunny garden spot outside.
Temperature
Blue Potato Bush is a warm-weather plant best kept at temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest and able to endure upwards to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives at an ideal temperature range of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost can damage the plant, so it should be protected or brought indoors if temperatures are expected to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Pruning the Blue Potato Bush maintains its shape, encourages bushier growth, and enhances flowering. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing dead or damaged branches and shaping the plant as desired. A light trimming after a flowering flush can also encourage additional blooms. It's generally recommended to prune these shrubs at least once a year, and more frequently if you are aiming for a denser shape.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Blue Potato Bush thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH balance of slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0). A mix of peat, pine bark, and perlite or coarse sand is ideal to ensure good drainage and aeration.
Repotting
Blue Potato Bush should be repotted every 2-3 years during spring to encourage growth and prevent root-bound conditions, using the aforementioned soil mix.
Humidity & Misting
Blue Potato Bush prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable. It will thrive best with humidity levels around 40-50%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright, indirect light and keep consistently moist for best indoor growth.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot, protect from frost, ensure well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii) begins its life cycle when a seed germinates, usually in the warmth of late spring or early summer. The seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with characteristic foliage, and as it matures, it forms a woody structure typical of shrubs. As the plant reaches maturity, it starts to produce vibrant blue or violet flowers, often enveloped by green leaves, during the growing season which may be year-round in warmer climates or summer to fall in temperate regions. Following pollination, which is assisted by insects such as bees, the flowers develop into small inedible berries. The plant continues to grow and can reach up to 6 feet in height and spread, with regular pruning helping to maintain its shape and promote more prolific blooming. In its perennial life, the Blue Potato Bush can live several years, going through cycles of growth, flowering, and fruiting annually.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii) is through semi-hardwood stem cuttings. This technique is typically performed in late summer. To propagate, one should select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a length of 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) that includes several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting should be planted in a well-draining soil mixture and kept moist but not waterlogged. It's important to provide a warm environment and indirect light to assist the cutting in developing roots, which typically occurs within a few weeks. After the new plants have established a robust root system, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden.