Start potato vine from a semi-ripe cutting in late summer. Take a slightly firm new shoot and root it in a mix that drains.
Take a semi-ripe cutting in late summer
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | A semi-ripe late-summer shoot, not in full flower | Do not take a flowering spray or a thick old cane as the only cutting |
| Mix | A mix that drains, kept barely moist | Do not leave the cutting in a soggy cup |
| Light | Bright light out of hot direct sun | Do not cook it in a closed bag in full sun |
| Timing | Late summer or early fall while the plant is in growth | Do not wait until frost has already killed the top if you need a backup plant |
The reliable way to copy potato vine is a semi-ripe stem cutting in late summer or early fall. [1] Cuttings keep the flower color you already have. [2]
When do I take cuttings?
In late summer or early fall, from slightly firm new wood that is not in full flower. Take one before frost if you need a backup plant.
How to root a potato vine cutting
Cut just below a node, strip the lower leaves, and push the stem into a mix that drains. Keep the mix barely moist in bright light out of hot sun until a gentle tug meets resistance. [3] The purple-blue scrambling kind roots the same way from summer to early autumn. [4]
- Take a semi-ripe cutting in late summer or early fall, from a healthy shoot that is still slightly firm and not in full flower. A piece about 3 to 5 inches long, cut just below a node, is enough.
- Strip the leaves from the lower half of the stem. If the remaining leaves are large, cut them in half so they lose less water.
- Dip the stripped end in rooting hormone if you have it. Hormone helps, but it is not required.
- Push the stripped end into a mix that drains. A light blend with perlite or sand is fine if water runs through instead of pooling.
- Cover the pot to hold humidity, and set it in bright light out of hot sun. Water only enough to keep the mix barely moist. Empty any saucer so the cutting is not standing in water.
- Wait until new growth shows, or until a gentle tug meets resistance, then pot the rooted cutting on. Protect it from frost until it is large enough to plant after the last freeze.
Once the cutting is growing, water and site it as you would an established climber on How to Grow Potato Vine.
Take a semi-ripe late-summer cutting, keep the mix barely moist, and pot it once roots hold.
FAQ
Can I grow potato vine from seed?
The plant sets berries with seed, but cuttings are the reliable copy of Glasnevin or Album. Seedlings can vary from the parent.
Can I layer a stem instead?
Yes. In summer, peg a low stem into the soil, leaving the tip above ground. Once it has rooted, cut it free and pot it. Cuttings are faster if you do not have a stem that reaches the ground.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-laxum/ - [2] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/150759/solanum-laxum/details - [3] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97176/solanum-crispum-glasnevin/details - [4] BBC Gardeners World Magazine -
https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/solanum-crispum-glasnevin/
This note is part of Potato_vine Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors