Also known as Nightshade · 831 gardener saves
Solanum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Solanum, the genus most gardeners know as nightshade. We track 35 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Solanum varieties
Of 35 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMartino's Roma Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Martino's Roma'
#2 most savedSweet Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweet'
#3 most savedYukon Gold Potato
Solanum tuberosum 'Yukon Gold'
Napa Rose Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Napa Rose'
Red Currant Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Red Currant'
Gold Medal Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Gold Medal'
Black and Brown Boar Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black and Brown Boar'
Atomic Grape Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Atomic Grape'
Chocolate Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Chocolate Cherry'
Black Krim Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Krim'
New Girl Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'New Girl'
Thessaloniki Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Thessaloniki'
Browse all 35 Solanum varieties →
How to grow Solanum
What the Solanum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 35 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Solanum year
- PlantApril and May97% of varieties
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- FertilizeMay–August94% of varieties
Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks once fruit sets
- HarvestJune–September91% of varieties
Pick fruits when fully yellow and slightly soft
- StakeApril and May86% of varieties
Install tall stakes or cages immediately after transplanting
- Check for PestsMay–August74% of varieties
Monitor for hornworms, aphids, and signs of blight
- PruneMay–July54% of varieties
Prune lightly in late winter/early spring to maintain compact shape.
Do
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Prune suckers to improve airflow and fruit production
- Provide full sun for at least 6 hours daily 🌞
- Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist 💧
- Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases ❌
- Don’t plant in poorly drained soil
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
What goes wrong with Solanum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curling leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Tomato hornworm | Large green caterpillars on plants | Handpick or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). |
| Tomato Hornworm | Large green caterpillars feeding on leaves and stems | Handpick or use organic Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Colorado Potato Beetle | Chewed leaves and defoliation | Handpick beetles and apply organic insecticide |
| Early blight | Dark spots on leaves and stems | Apply copper fungicide and rotate crops |
| Early Blight | Dark spots on leaves | Apply copper fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Blossom end rot | Dark, sunken spots on the fruit | Maintain even watering and add calcium to soil |
Making more Solanum
Cuttings
- Select healthy non-flowering stems.
- Cut 4-6 inch pieces and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist potting soil and keep humid environment for 3-4 weeks.
Seed starting
- Tuck seeds into moist soil indoors or in a greenhouse (4 weeks).
- Keep soil consistently moist and warm (~70°F).
- Transplant seedlings after 6 weeks when they have 2-3 true leaves.
Solanum questions
How many types of Solanum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 35 distinct Solanum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 831 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Solanum grow in?
Across its varieties, Solanum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Solanum bloom?
Most Solanum varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer, late spring to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Solanum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Solanum shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Solanum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
