Jasmine Solanum belongs to the nightshade family and usually has white flowers. The attractive plant can stand as a climbing plant in the window box or in a hanging basket or grow as a climbing plant with climbing aids. The absolutely robust and easy-care species can be cultivated for several years, but is not hardy. From May, the ornamental plant can be on the balcony, terrace or in the garden and delight with rich flowers and lush growth well into autumn.

Botanical name: Solanum jasminoides, Solanum laxum
Other names: summer jasmine, jasmine, white potato bush, jasmine nightshade, false jasmine, nightshade
Use: climbing plant, container plant, balcony plant, hanging basket, for beds and bowls
Origin: South America
Flower colours: white, light blue
Flowering period: April to October
Special features:The name summer jasmine refers to the umbels of flowers that resemble real jasmine. However, Solanum jasminoides belongs to the Solanaceae family, which also includes gentian, tomatoes, potatoes and aubergines. The similarity within the genus Solanum can be seen in the white flowers, all representatives are not hardy.

In which location does the Solanum jasminoides feel most comfortable?

The climbing plant from tropical regions prefers a sunny and warm location. From May to September, the delicate climbing plant can be planted out in the garden or in planters outside. Without a trellis or bamboo sticks, the shoots grow climbing and are suitable for window boxes or hanging baskets. The summer jasmine also feels at home in a semi-shady location and, with the right care, will delight you with a lush pile for months. The species is usually valued as an annual plant, but overwintering is a good option for solitary plants.

How and when do I repot my Solanum jasminoides?

It is optimal if you plant the summer jasmine in a larger container or in the ground immediately after purchase. Only with a sufficiently large volume of soil does the summer flower develop magnificently. Make sure you use good quality potting soil and a container with a drainage hole. Overwintered jasmine is transplanted into larger containers as soon as it is cleared out of the winter quarters.

Repotting in 5 steps:

• • • Place the whole plant with the pot in a bucket of water so that the root ball is completely soaked.
    • Carefully remove the culture pot.
    • Use structurally stable potting soil with a pH of 6.5 and expanded clay for drainage.
    • Place the potted plant vertically in the container and carefully fill up the space between the root ball and the planter.

Finally, pour thoroughly. Our gardening tip: Freshly bought specimens do not necessarily have to be repotted. Most of the time, however, the plastic culture pots have roots and are not visually appealing. Therefore, transplanting into a larger pot is a good way to combine the useful with the beautiful. Choose a container according to your preferences and with good care, the increased volume of soil will give a significant boost to development.

How do I water my summer jasmine correctly?

Jasmine-flowered nightshade requires a steady water supply for growth and flowering. Depending on the size of the plant, the volume of soil, the temperature and the location, watering is required. On hot summer days, daily watering with a watering can is necessary. Specimens planted out in the garden have a better chance of getting water. Therefore, the effort for care is slightly lower here than with culture in pots. Even in winter, the genus known as wintergreen needs water regularly.

Care tip: Waterlogging or dryness is not tolerated. In both cases yellow leaves or leaf fall can occur. Excess water should stand in the coaster for a maximum of 1 hour.

What is the best way to fertilize my Solanum jasminoides?

Like all Solanaceae, jasmine-flowered nightshade has high fertilizer requirements. Well-fed Jasmine Solanum forms long tendrils and many flowers, with a lack of fertilizer the foliage turns light yellow and only a few small flowers are formed. Use a good quality container plant fertilizer immediately upon planting. This will give the nightshade a good start. The slow-acting depot fertilizer provides the Mediterranean plants with the best care for the first few weeks. From mid-June, continuous fertilizing with liquid flower fertilizer with guano is recommended. In addition to the most important nutrients, this special fertilizer contains revitalizing humic substances, which contributes to the development of flowers, especially in seasonal plants.

Pro tip: Gentian shrub fertilizer is specially tailored to the needs of Solanum.

How do I properly prune my jasmine nightshade?

A cut is not necessary for the climbing plant. You can either attach long shoots to a trellis or let them grow vertically. For visual reasons, however, you can trim tendrils at any time with pruning shears. A cut stimulates branching and the summer jasmine becomes bushier. For reasons of space, you can remove about a third of the leaf mass before putting it into the winter quarters.

How do I care for and overwinter Solanum jasminoides?

Jasmine is absolutely easy to care for. Essential are the even soil moisture and the sufficient supply of nutrients. The species sheds the flowers and it is not necessary to clean out or break out the inflorescences. Before the first frost, you need to protect the perennial bloomer. The frost-free overwintering should take place in a bright location at temperatures of 2 to 10 °C. Dark hibernation is not possible. Make sure that jasmine has evenly moist soil even in winter. An interval of 2 weeks when watering is usually sufficient. tohigh temperatures in the winter quarters cause the jasmine to thrive too much and partially bloom. From the end of February a light and 10 to 15 °C warm location is recommended, and the watering is increased. From the end of April, jasmine nightshade can be brought outdoors. First place the old plants in a shady spot near a house wall. By gradually adapting to outdoor conditions, you avoid leaf damage. Since the new leaves are not yet used to the UV radiation, it is important that you protect the summer jasmine from frost and avoid too intense sunlight.

What pests and diseases can Solanum jasminoides get?

Under optimal conditions summer jasmine are richly flowering plants, the following pests can occur:

aphids

Especially in phases with less light, low humidity and restricted growth, Solanum are more susceptible to aphid infestation. Check the leaves in the winter quarters regularly for animal pests. Rinse the plants thoroughly with water at the first infestation — this first measure usually helps. Natural plant strengtheners help the plant grow stronger tissue that is less likely to be attacked by sucking insects.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Solanum blooming sparsely?

A lack of flowering is often the result of a lack of nutrients or a too shady location. In the spring, it is particularly important for overwintered plants to have sufficient nutrients available.

How does propagation take place?

Solanum jasminoides can be easily propagated by cuttings. The best time for this is April and May. Use a knife to take cuttings from healthy plants. The top cuttings root optimally in propagation houses. It is important that the substrate never dries out until rooting, but is not too damp and is protected from the blazing sun. In rare cases, seeds form on the plants, which can be used for sowing.

Are summer jasmine poisonous?

All parts of the plant are poisonous, so you should wear gloves to care for the shrub.