Plant potato vine after frost, about 18 to 24 inches from a wall, at the same depth it grew in the pot, and put a support in at planting.
Plant after frost, about 18 inches from the wall
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | After frost, in a frost-free stretch of spring | Do not plant into frozen or waterlogged ground |
| Setback | About 18 to 24 inches from a wall or fence | Do not jam the root ball against masonry in a dry rain shadow |
| Depth | The top of the root ball even with the surrounding soil | Do not bury the stem |
| Support | A trellis or wires in place before the stems run | Do not wait until the vine is already on the ground |
Plant potato vine in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot. Leave at least 12 inches — and preferably 18 to 24 inches — from the base of a wall or fence so the ball sits in soil you can water, not in a dry pocket against masonry. [1] A trellis, wires, or an arbor should be ready on planting day. [2]
How far from a wall should I plant it?
About 18 to 24 inches. A tight hole against masonry stays dry at the top and wet at the toe, and the stems have no room to cover.
How to plant potato vine
Set the plant at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide, loosen the sides, and backfill with the soil you dug. [3]
- Wait until frost has passed and the soil can be worked. Do not plant into a frozen or soggy bed.
- Measure about 18 to 24 inches out from the wall or fence, then dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Loosen the sides so new roots can move out.
- Slide the plant out of the pot. If the roots are tight, tease the outer layer so they face out, not around in a circle.
- Set the ball so the top sits even with the soil around it. Backfill with the dug soil, tamp gently, and water until the hole settles. [4]
- Fix the support and loosely tie the first stems so they start on the wires, not on the ground.
- Water thoroughly after you backfill. Through the first months, water when the soil is dry two inches down. Do not leave a saucer of standing water around the crown.
- Spread mulch about two inches deep, and keep it a few inches away from the stem so the bark stays dry.
What fails at planting
A plant set tight against a wall sits in a rain shadow, so the top of the ball dries while the toe stays wet. A hole that buries the stem, or a planting into cold, soggy ground, is the usual reason new plants stall. Put the support in on day one. Stems left on wet soil rot before they climb.
Once the plant is in, water and site it as you would an established climber on How to Grow Potato Vine.
Plant at the same depth it grew, leave 18 to 24 inches from a wall, and put a support in on day one.
FAQ
Can I plant it in fall?
In a frost-free stretch, early fall is fine if the plant has weeks to root before cold weather. Where frost hits, wait until spring, or grow it in a pot you can move.
Should I add compost to the planting hole?
You can mix a little compost into the backfill if the soil is poor, but do not make a rich wet pocket that holds water around the ball. The hole should still drain.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] RHS Plants -
https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/solanum-crispum-glasnevin/classid.1720/ - [2] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-laxum/ - [3] San Marcos Growers -
https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1509 - [4] Royal Horticultural Society -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97176/solanum-crispum-glasnevin/details
This note is part of Potato_vine Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors