Solanum mauritianum

Its large oval leaves are grey-green in color and covered with felt-like hairs. The flower is purple with a yellow center.

Solanum melongena

Solanum melongena, or Tropical Eggplant, is a large shrub that can grow to 5-10 feet tall. It is a popular vegetable in many parts of the world, and it produces edible fruits in shades of pink, white, off-white, blue, lavender, and purple. This plant grows well in full sun or semi-shade, and it needs regular or moderate water. It is best grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, but if grown in a pot it can survive in cooler climates with adequate care.

Tropical Eggplant is known for being very sweet and tasty when eaten raw or cooked in Asian recipes. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber and magnesium. Depending on its size, a single plant can produce up to 25 fruits each season. The fruits can be eaten at both the immature and mature stages, and are known for their unique flavor and texture.

Tropical Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. It can be roasted, sauteed, pickled, or served in salads. It can also be processed into a paste, used to make vegan dishes, or added to soups. The most popular way to make use of the fruit is to stuff it with meats and vegetables, making for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Growing and caring for Tropical Eggplant is relatively easy. The soil for your plant should be well-draining, but still have enough moisture. If you plan to grow it in a pot in colder regions, it is important to provide the plant with adequate warmth and protection from frost. It should also be fertilized periodically throughout the season. With proper care, your eggplant can yield flavorful fruits for years.

Solanum muricatum

A small bush or shrub much like the tomato. It has an evergreen foliage. In colder climates, it can be grown in containers.

Commonly eaten fresh, the pepino's flesh is so soft and juicy it makes a quick and easy treat.

Solanum pimpinellifolium, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium

Currant tomatoes (Solanum pimpinellifolium) are closely related to our standard garden tomato Solanum lycopersicum.

Solanum pyracanthum

An eye-opening specimen plant! It grows 3'-5' tall with pretty, actually, blue-green leaves that have prominent orange spines down the mid ribs. The stems are covered with orange fuzz. Lavender flowers are borne in a cluster.

Solanum quitoense, Solanum angulatum

Solanum quitoense (commonly known as Naranjilla) is a small plant that grows to a height of 2-5 ft and produces white, off-white flowers. Its blossoms may be blue, lavender, or purple in color. This interesting plant native to the Andes Mountains is covered with large thorns and spines that grow out from its stems and leaves, but are actually harmless. Despite its prickly exterior, the edible fruits of the Naranjilla are quite delicious, resembling a large cherry tomato with a sweet-and-sour, yellow to greenish pulp. The plant matures and can produce a large number of fruits, which are often eaten fresh, but can also be used for making drinks, preserves, and desserts.

When grown in colder regions, the Naranjilla should be container grown to ensure proper care and maintenance. It requires full sun and semi-shade, and the soil should be kept moist at all times. Additionally, root nematodes may be a problem, but can be controlled with container growing. Grows well in USDA Zones 9-11. As a subtropical plant, the Naranjilla flowers best when temperatures are slightly cooler than tropical, and can withstand brief temperatures as cold as 30s F.

Solanum rantonnetii, Lycianthes rantonnetii

Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems, branches and foliage are covered in dense, inconspicuous tomentose hairs. Solanum rantonnetii is a large shrub, growing 5 - 10 ft tall with glossy, vibrant green foliage. It is hardy in USDA zone 9 - 11 and may survive short cold temperatures in zone 8 with some protection. It requires full sun and dry conditions. The blue, lavender and purple flowers are very attractive and will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The mature plant has cold hardy to at least 30s F for a short time.

When growing Solanum rantonnetii in cooler climates, it is best to Grow in a pot and bring it in during freezing temperatures. It should be planted in a well-draining, organic potting mix. During regular watering, allow the top of the soil to dry out between watering to prevent root rot. If growing the shrub in a pot in cold regions, a deep pot that can accommodate the root systems and multiple layers of insulation can be used to protect the roots from cold temperatures. Additionally, use a lightweight cover to provide insulation and to keep the plant protected from frost. Mulch the pot with leaves and hay or keep it in a sheltered area to avoid high winds and further cold temperatures.

Solanum rostratum

Solanum seaforthianum

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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This is a showy, evergreen, slender-stemmed vine growing to 20 ft (6 m) and bearing large nodding clusters of violet-blue flowers with yellow stamens in summer. These are followed by small scarlet berries. Very tender to cool weather. Prefers artial shade, especially in afternoon. In tropical climates, use for year-long coverage of arbors, gazebos, and trellises, even the clear trunk of a palm or other tree: anywhere a vine is desirable. The Solanum family is very large, consisting of nearly 1500 species ranging from vegetables like the potato and aubergine, to ornamental shrubs and climbers, plus a number of weeds. Some, as their common name Nightshade suggests, are toxic and need careful handling.

Solanum sisymbriifolium, Solanum balbisii

Solanum sisymbriifolium, commonly known as Sticky Nightshade, is a small plant native to South America. It is known for its irritating, prickly foliage and bright, colorful flowers. It can grow as tall as 2-5 feet, depending on how it is cared for.

The Sticky Nightshade thrives in full or semi-shade sunlight, and it requires regular to moderate water. When it is in bloom, it produces a variety of flower colors, including pink, white, off-white, blue, lavender, and purple. All of the flowers have the same basic shape, each with five petals and a yellow center.

When caring for this plant in a pot, it should be given special attention in cold regions. The mature plant is known to be cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time. If the temperature drops below this level, the plants should be brought indoors until the weather warms back up.

The Sticky Nightshade is also known for its edible fruits which are often used in cooking, although it does produce irritating sap when handled. These small and round fruits are red on the outside with a yellow center that bursts open when ripe and fully ready to be harvested. It is known to produce over a hundred of these fruits in a single season, and they are known to contain vitamins A and C along with other healthy benefits.

In conclusion, the Sticky Nightshade is a small, vibrant plant that is native to South America. It's easy to care for, producing an abundance of colorful flowers and edible fruits. It requires regular to moderate water and semi-shade sunlight, and in cold regions, it should be brought inside during extreme temperatures to ensure it is not damaged.