Nightshades in the Garden

There are at least 2,300 different species in the nightshade, or Solanaceae, family, however, only a select group of plants in the family are edible. The most common edible nightshades we plant in our garden include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Other edible nightshades include ashwagandha, tomatillos, ground cherries (a.k.a. cape gooseberries), garden huckleberries, and goji berries. Although the nightshade family contains beautiful and delicious plant species, some people suffer from nightshade allergies and many plants in the family are poisonous. 

Flowers and foliage of a potato plant

What makes nightshades potentially harmful to humans? Many nightshades have potent, toxic alkaloids that are deadly when ingested. Even our garden-friendly nightshades contain these alkaloids and must be managed and harvested carefully to avoid potential ingestion of these dangerous plant chemicals. 

When it comes to the nightshades in our garden that we love, how can we avoid harmful alkaloids? Across the board, we should harvest only the fruits or tubers (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes) for consumption and always avoid eating any foliage on these plants. All the foliage of garden nightshades is poisonous and should be left alone, which also includes the flowers that potato plants produce. Therefore, if you have children or any outdoor pets, ensuring that the foliage is out of reach or blocked off will help protect your family from ingesting any toxic alkaloids. 

Tomatoes ready for harvesting

When managing nightshades in the garden, it is also essential to be aware of potential skin rashes and irritations. I am a sensitive skinned human, and I have often had skin reactions to tomato plants when I am trimming them back, training them upwards through tomato cages, or harvesting the fruits. If you know you have sensitive skin or have found the foliage and stems irritating to the touch, I recommend wearing long sleeve shirts, garden gloves, and even glasses to reduce the risk of it coming into contact with your skin. It is particularly important to follow this rule whenever you are harvesting hot peppers since the oils that produce the heat in these fruits can remain on your hands after harvesting. Along the same principle, always discard harvesting clothes into your laundry and wash your hands immediately after interacting with these plants. 

Bell peppers ready for harvesting (bell peppers can be touched directly since they do not have intense heat, whereas hot peppers should be harvested with gloves)

Even though nightshades are a plant family that has some unfavorable attributes, they make up a somewhat irreplaceable and gigantic portion of this country’s diet. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers are present in almost every cuisine or restaurant in America and across the world. They are essential food crop staples and are extremely valuable in the kitchen. Just remember to tend to them cautiously and always protect yourself!