Potato vine (Solanum laxum, formerly S. jasminoides), is the more commonly grown plant, with abundant small white flowers. Native to Brazil, potato vine grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, which is fine for Sunnyvale. Slender stems with elongated oval dark green leaves provide a backdrop for star-shaped white flowers produced in greatest abundance in spring, although the plant flowers almost year-round in mild-winter climates. On some plants, flowers have a slightly bluish coloration. Flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. Round dark blue fruits can follow flowers if pollination occurs.
I grow mine in a 3 inch wide trench.
All potato vines benefit from hard pruning to keep them within bounds and to renew growth. Regular watering is needed during the growing season. Vines clamber rather than having holdfast organs such as tendrils, so they need support as they grow, tying the young growth to trellises, walls, fences, posts or arbors. As vines grow, they conceal the earlier growth and attachments.
