When does Solanum americanum bloom?

Solanum americanum typically flowers from June through November, with small white blossoms appearing in flushes through the warm months.

What growing conditions suit Solanum americanum best?

This forb does well in full sun with low water needs, making it a good fit for warm, dry disturbed sites, roadsides, and open ground.

Do pollinators visit Solanum americanum?

Bees are the main visitors to its small white flowers, working the blooms for pollen during the long summer to fall flowering period.

Is Solanum americanum evergreen or does it die back?

As a forb, its foliage is soft and herbaceous rather than woody, and growth is closely tied to the warm season rather than persisting year round in colder sites.

Is Glossy Nightshade toxic to dogs?

Yes. Glossy Nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Glossy Nightshade toxic to cats?

Yes. Glossy Nightshade is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Glossy Nightshade HOA-friendly?

Glossy Nightshade takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Glossy Nightshade

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Solanum ptychanthum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Solanum americanum is a low water forb that blooms from June through November in warm climates such as Texas, Florida, and California, producing small white flowers that draw bees in full sun.

Glossy Nightshade (Solanum ptychanthum) — Photo: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay

Glossy Nightshade is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 38 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Glossy nightshade is a native annual herb that grows up to 3 feet tall with small white flowers blooming from June through September. This wild plant produces small dark berries and has a somewhat weedy appearance typical of the nightshade family.

In an HOA neighborhood

Glossy Nightshade takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Looks weedy and informal
Nightshade family plants often raise safety concerns
Annual growth habit creates inconsistent appearance

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the long summer blooming period. Birds may also consume the small berries produced later in the season.

Common questions

When does Solanum americanum bloom?: Solanum americanum typically flowers from June through November, with small white blossoms appearing in flushes through the warm months.
What growing conditions suit Solanum americanum best?: This forb does well in full sun with low water needs, making it a good fit for warm, dry disturbed sites, roadsides, and open ground.
Do pollinators visit Solanum americanum?: Bees are the main visitors to its small white flowers, working the blooms for pollen during the long summer to fall flowering period.
Is Solanum americanum evergreen or does it die back?: As a forb, its foliage is soft and herbaceous rather than woody, and growth is closely tied to the warm season rather than persisting year round in colder sites.
Is Glossy Nightshade toxic to dogs?: Yes. Glossy Nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Glossy Nightshade toxic to cats?: Yes. Glossy Nightshade is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Glossy Nightshade HOA-friendly?: Glossy Nightshade takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Glossy Nightshade and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz