White Potato Vine Solanum laxum 'Album'

Water

The White Potato Vine requires consistent moisture, and it's essential to water it when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this will mean watering the plant once or twice a week during active growth periods, depending on the climate and weather conditions. Use a gentle stream of water to avoid disturbing the soil or damaging the plant. Each watering should thoroughly saturate the soil, providing approximately one to two gallons of water per session, ensuring that the plant has enough moisture to support its vigorous growth without becoming waterlogged.

Light

White Potato Vine thrives in bright, indirect light, or partial shade. Ideal placement is in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, as harsh afternoon sunlight can damage the foliage. A spot that mirrors these conditions will help the vine grow vigorously while maintaining healthy leaves and abundant flowering.

Temperature

The White Potato Vine prefers a temperate climate with ideal growth temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but extreme temperatures either way should be avoided to keep the plant healthy.

Pruning

Pruning the White Potato Vine helps maintain its shape, control its size, and encourage more abundant flowering. It's best to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back the stems to a healthy bud to invigorate the plant and keep it from becoming too tangled. Pruning can be done annually or biannually, depending on the desired size and shape of the vine.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Potato vine (White Potato Vine) thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. A mix containing equal parts of potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand would be ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration. To promote healthy growth, ensure the soil is rich in organic matter and maintain a balanced moisture level.

Repotting

White Potato Vine should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its pot. It is important to increase the pot size gradually to prevent stress on the plant and to use fresh soil mix when repotting to replenish nutrients.

Humidity & Misting

White Potato Vine prefers moderate to high humidity levels. Aim for a humidity level of 40-50% to keep this plant healthy. It will tolerate lower humidity but thrives with increased moisture in the air, which can be achieved through regular misting or a humidifier.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place White Potato Vine in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Grow in full sun to partial shade and protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  9-11 USDA

Life cycle

White Potato Vine (Solanum laxum 'Album') begins its life as a seed, germinating in warm, moist soil where it develops a root system and sprouts its first pair of leaves. As a fast-growing perennial vine, it enters a vegetative stage, producing a profusion of foliage and, in the right conditions, can become quite expansive. The plant then enters its flowering stage, typically during warmer months, presenting clusters of star-shaped, fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers may develop into small, inedible berries. White Potato Vine may experience a period of dormancy in cooler climates or during the winter months. Given the right care and conditions, the vine can live for several years, regenerating and flowering annually.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for Solanum laxum 'Album', commonly known as white potato vine, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. To propagate from cuttings, choose a healthy section of semi-hardwood stem that is 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 centimeters) and remove any flowers or fruit. Cut the stem just below a leaf node, where the concentration of rooting hormones is high. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to expose the nodes where roots will form. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to enhance root development then plant the cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or a well-draining potting mix. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy and place the cutting in a warm area with indirect light. Roots typically establish within a few weeks, after which the cutting can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before being planted in its final location.