Australian nightshade Plant Care

Australian nightshade (Solanum emulans) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Solanum genus. Australian nightshade is native to all Canadian provinces and nearly all of the United States, and it has been introduced to scattered locales in Europe. Australian nightshade is also known as bush tomato.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Australian nightshade 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.

Australian nightshade thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Solanum emulans tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Australian nightshade prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Australian nightshade 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.

Australian nightshade is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 10b.

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.

Australian nightshade 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 Australian nightshade 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.

Australian nightshade is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Australian nightshade 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.

Australian nightshade 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.

Australian nightshade grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Australian nightshade is native to all Canadian provinces and nearly all of the United States, and it has been introduced to scattered locales in Europe.