Plant in sun to part shade in coastal gardens and shady spots inland. This adaptable native is not fussy about soil type as long as it is relatively well drained. Plants are drought tolerant, needing little to no irrigation once established but will accept modest summer watering. Hardy to at least 20° F. This plant adds vibrant color to perennial borders and is useful in the dry shade beneath coast live oak trees. To promote a bushy habit, prune leggy branches in late summer or fall. Noted for being resistant to deer predation, likely because all parts of this plant are considered poisonous, as are most plants in this family.

Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' was a San Marcos Growers plant introduction in 2011. It is a selection of the species that was given to us by native plant expert and garden designer Carol Bornstein who collected it in February 2010 along Mountain Drive in the Santa Barbara foothills where it was growing among other regrowth following the disastrous 2008 Tea Fire. Carol selected for its attractive and particularly large dark-purple colored flowers. The name for the genus comes from the Latin name used by Pliny for a nightshade and the specific epithet 'xanti' honors János (John) Xántus (1825-1894), a Hungarian zoologist who collected in California and Baja. 

Information displayed on this page about Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.