Chilean Potato Vine Plant Care

Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Solanum genus. Chilean Potato Vine is native to Chile and Peru. Chilean Potato Vine is also known as Blue Potato Bush, Chilean Nightshade.

Chilean Potato Vine displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Chilean Potato Vine produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chilean Potato Vine every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chilean Potato Vine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Solanum crispum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Chilean Potato Vine prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Chilean Potato Vine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chilean Potato Vine every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chilean Potato Vine is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chilean Potato Vine can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Chilean Potato Vine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Chilean Potato Vine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chilean Potato Vine can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trailing nightshade plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Chilean Potato Vine is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chilean Potato Vine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Chilean Potato Vine is native to Chile and Peru. In cooler regions, grow Chilean Potato Vine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.