How to grow Tamarillo

Where to plant

Tamarillo does best where temperatures stay above about 50°F. A frost of 28°F kills the foliage and small branches of mature trees, which recover if frosts are brief and rare, but seedlings and young plants die in their first year if frosted. It also dislikes long, hot, humid summers.

The tree is shallow rooted and brittle, so plant it in a spot sheltered from wind, where it will not blow over or snap. It needs rich, well-drained soil; waterlogging kills it.

• Southern California: suits mild coastal gardens. Plant in spring or fall in a spot sheltered from wind, and cover young plants if frost threatens.
• Northern California: plant in April or May in a warm, sheltered spot so roots settle before winter, and cover young trees on frost nights.
• Central and South Florida: plant in spring with afternoon shade and good drainage; hot, wet summers are hard on it. Cover on frost nights in Central Florida.
• Hawaii: grows best at cooler upland elevations. Plant in spring or fall.
• Everywhere else: too cold outdoors. It fruits in a heated greenhouse or can be grown in a large pot moved indoors for winter.

Choosing a variety

There are few named varieties in US nurseries; plants are sold by fruit color. Red fruit is the most common for eating fresh, while yellow and orange types are milder and favored for preserves.

How to plant

1. Choose a warm spot sheltered from wind, with rich, well-drained soil.
2. Plant in spring after frost, at the depth it grew in its pot.
3. Stake young trees, as the shallow roots and brittle stems are easily damaged by wind.
4. Water in well and mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and moist.
5. When a young tree reaches about 3 to 4 feet, pinch or cut the tip to encourage branching at a convenient height.

Watering and feeding

Tamarillo cannot tolerate prolonged drought. Water deeply and regularly in dry weather, especially while fruit is developing, and keep the root zone mulched.

Feed regularly through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, as for tomatoes.

Pruning and care through the year

• Fruit forms on new growth, so prune each year after harvest to remove branches that have fruited and encourage new shoots.
• The flowers are normally self-pollinating; wind movement or bees help set fruit.
• Plants decline after 5 or 6 years, so start a replacement from seed or a cutting before then.

Harvesting

Pick fruit when it is fully colored, red or yellow depending on the type, and gives slightly to a gentle squeeze. Snip it with a short stem. Firm, colored fruit finishes ripening at room temperature, then keeps in the fridge for one to two weeks.

Growing in pots

In cold areas, a tamarillo can be grown in a large pot, at least 20 inches wide, outdoors in summer and in a bright, frost-free room or greenhouse over winter. Container plants stay smaller and fruit less.

Using it

The skin is bitter, so scoop out the flesh or peel the fruit after pouring boiling water over it for a few minutes. Eat it fresh with a little sugar, add it to salsas, chutneys and stews, or cook it into jam and sauces.

Propagation and saving seed

Tamarillo grows easily from seed and from cuttings of one- to two-year-old wood. Seedlings grow into taller, upright trees, while cutting-grown plants branch lower and are bushier.