Solanum wendlandii
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Solanum wendlandii

Costa Rican nightshade · Giant Potatocreeper · Giant potato-creeper · Paradise-flower · Potato-vine

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
30
Observations
1

Description

Source: leafsnap

Solanum wendlandii, the giant potato creeper, potato vine, Costa Rican nightshade, divorce vine, or paradise flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and northwest South America, and has been widely introduced as an ornamental to other tropical locales, including the Caribbean, Africa, Nepal, Java, and many islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. A robust vine reaching 15 ft (4.6 m), its long-lasting dark purple flowers eventually fade to white.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The giant potato creeper thrives in moist, humid environments and does best when watered every 1-2 weeks. While it is drought-tolerant, it benefits from consistent moisture. Typically grown outdoors, the giant potato creeper prefers rainy climates to maintain the optimal water balance.

☀️ Light Full sun

The giant potato creeper comes from open habitats, like sunny meadows and forest edges, which supply plenty of light. It does best in full sun but can also endure partial sun, handling a range of sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Giant potato creeper comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a steady temperature, so indoor temperature fluctuations should be avoided. It typically cannot withstand cold and needs higher temperatures to grow. If the ambient temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Giant potato creeper is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy. This supports overall growth and flower formation. Fertilizing improves the foliage, stems, and branches, and encourages flowers that are large, vivid, and long-lasting. It helps move nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant's health and resistance to disease.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Regular pruning in early spring helps the giant potato creeper thrive, promoting both growth and flowering. When pruning, concentrate on removing dead wood and shaping the plant to improve air circulation and manage its size. Be sure to use clean tools to prevent the spread of disease. For more detailed guidance, consult horticultural guides to maintain healthy foliage and control the plant's spread.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Vine
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Solanum
Family
Solanaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
3.05 m to 6.1 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 3.96 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Forest Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Lavender, Purple
Flower Size
5.08 cm to 6.35 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
All year round
Native Area
Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Tags (5)

Common Names (10)

en Costa Rican nightshade
en Giant Potatocreeper
en Giant potato-creeper
en Paradise-flower
en Potato-vine
en Divorce vine
en Giant potato vine
en Grand potato vine
en Marriage vine
en Wendland's nightshade