Botanical Name: Solanum laxum

Common Name: Potato Vine, White Potato Vine

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 8–11

Size: 15–30' Long (Climbing)

Growth Habit: Vigorous, Twining, Woody Vine

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adaptable to Most Garden Soils

Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Fall

Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Clusters of Star-Shaped White Flowers, Yellow Centers, Fast Growth, Evergreen in Mild Climates

Uses: Trellises, Arbors, Fences, Pergolas, Walls, Privacy Screens

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed (Cuttings)

More About Potato Vine (Solanum laxum)

True Potato Vine is a completely different plant from ornamental sweet potato vine and is grown for its flowers rather than foliage. Solanum laxum produces clusters of crisp white, star-shaped blooms with bright yellow centers, giving it a clean, classic look that works beautifully on vertical structures. In warm climates, it can remain evergreen, providing year-round coverage.

This vine is a vigorous climber that quickly twines its way up trellises, fences, and pergolas. It doesn’t cling on its own like ivy, so it benefits from light training early on, but once established, it grows with confidence. The foliage is medium green and dense enough to provide privacy without feeling heavy.

Potato Vine thrives in full sun for best flowering but will tolerate partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and performs best with regular watering during establishment. Once settled, it handles heat and short dry periods with ease.

Why We Like It (Our ATrials)

At Garden Delivery, Potato Vine has been a go-to choice for customers wanting fast vertical coverage without aggressive behavior. In our experience, it flowers reliably and fills space quickly while remaining easy to manage with seasonal pruning. It responds well to shaping and doesn’t become woody and unkempt as fast as some flowering vines.

I especially like it for pergolas and privacy screens where you want something that looks lush but still refined. When it’s in bloom, it gives that classic, cottage-style feel without overwhelming the structure it’s growing on.