Tropical Soda Apple

Solanumviarum

Family
Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Solanum (so-LAN-num)
Species
viarum (vy-AR-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Succulent
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Ellenton, Florida

Melbourne, Florida

New Port Richey, Florida

Webster, Florida

Dunellen, New Jersey

Brooklyn, New York

San Antonio, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
6
negatives
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | negative

This species is able to grow as an aggressively self-sowing annual weed even in the far north.

Aside from it's being a US ...Read More

C
West Kill, NY | September 2012 | neutral

My husband came home from a trip to New York City with a picture of this plant growing in Madison Square Park. It appeared to have been ...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | December 2006 | negative

Tropical Soda Apple Solanum viarum is naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive noxious plant in Texas.

C
C
Woodland Park, CO (Zone 4b) | November 2004 | negative

U.S. FEDERALLY LISTED NOXIOUS WEED.
Not allowed for import to the US and not allowed in any interstate or intrastate transportati...Read More

P
Dunellen, NJ (Zone 6b) | July 2004 | positive

I grow this as a houseplant/bonsai in my area. I purchased seeds from a seedsman company in LaHonda Cal. Lots of people find the plant e...Read More

B
San Antonio, TX (Zone 9a) | July 2004 | negative

I wouldn't say it is a "success" in my garden, although it grows plenty well enough even with my constant cutting, pulling, trimming, dou...Read More

T
Lake Placid, FL (Zone 9b) | May 2004 | negative

Very invasive

B
Orlando, FL (Zone 9b) | February 2003 | negative

This is a major pest plant in the southern US. It has been found to form monocultures in areas where it is left unchecked. This plant b...Read More

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