PlantFiles: Giant Star Potato Tree
Solanum macranthum

A wonderful tropical addition to a Florida garden. Likes full sun and grows quickly. Tends to branch from near the base-- leave "as is" for a full bushy shrub or trim to encourage growth into a tree. Blooms all year. I fertilize moderately once a season with 6-6-6. Likes frequent water, but does not need to be watered everyday in my experience, even in summer (I am aware of the note above which indicates that the soil should not be allowed to dry out but this has not been my experience--this plant tolerates dryness better than a lot of other plants I have in my yard). Pollinating insects (bees, wasps, butterflies) love this plant. The new blooms have a slight sweet smell which is apparent only if you are very near the plant.

The only negative is that this plant is not cold hardy at all. The 26 degree F night early January 2008 here in Tampa knocked it down to the base despite it being in a protected area near the house and having been covered with frost cloth and blankets. The tree has recovered and is now 15 feet tall in 9 months. The 20-30 foot tall Giant Star Potato Tree at USF Botanical Gardens was completely killed in this cold snap-- apparently the temps there got down to 23 degrees F.