Also known as tamarillo, this unusual plant is grown for its egg-shaped, flavorful fruit.
A native to Central and South America, this shrubby plant is part of the nightshade family liketomatoesandpeppers.
Here’s what you gotta know to grow your own tree tomato and enjoy the unique fruit.
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In cooler climates, plant it in a container and bring it indoors for overwintering.
Choose a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
In the hottest regions, tree tomato benefits from partial shade, particularly in the afternoon.
Credit:Robert Cardillo
When choosing the ideal spot, consider how much wind the area receives.
How and When to Plant Tree Tomatoes
Plant tree tomatoes after thelast frost in spring.
Water well after planting.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Light
Tree tomatoes thrive in full sun.
Provide adequate water to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Because this plant has shallow roots, it needs to be watered frequently during warm weather.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
The best time to water is early in the morning before the heat of the day.
When watering, keep the foliage dry; wet foliage leads to fungal diseases.
Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture in the soil.
Tree tomatoes don’t do well in droughts or long periods without water.
When overwintering potted tamarillo plants indoors,water them sparingly.
It goes dormant and does not require a lot of water during that period.
Temperature and Humidity
This subtropical plant grows best in warm climates.
The optimum humidity for these plants is 90 to 95%.
Typically, temperatures above 50 degrees are ideal.
With protection, the plant can temporarily withstand temperatures as 28 degrees but it will affect its growth.
If you live in a climate with cold winters, bring your plant inside during the winter.
In consecutive years, pruning helps with fruit production.
The recommended time to prune is just before winter.
Use a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter and has large drainage holes.
Fill it with a combination of high-quality potting soil and compost.
Container plants dry out much faster than plants in garden soil so water often.
Move the container to a sheltered area such as a heated garage or your home for the winter.
When repotting, look for wheeled containers to make relocating the plant easier.
Be on the lookout forhornworms, which feast on tomato plants and other plants from the nightshade family.
How to Propagate Tree Tomatoes
Tamarillos are best grown fromstem cuttingsfrom a mature plant.
In early summer, take 10-inch cuttings from one-year-old wood, cutting just below a node.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings.
Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone and insert the cuttings in small pots filled with well-draining potting mix.
Place the pots in a warm location but away from direct sunlight.
Water just enough to keep the potting mix somewhat moist.
Roots should start to form in 4 to 6 weeks.
The skin color ranges from purple to red, orange, or yellow.
A tamarillo is ripe when the fruit gives a little when gently squeezed.
It produces large red fruits that are oval to round in shape.
The fruits have a distinct acid taste and are used for eating raw and making jams and preserves.
The skin of the fruit is bright red and the flesh is golden-yellow.
The flavor is rather sweet and the fruit is mostly eaten raw.
‘Inca Gold’
The fruits of this variety are yellow and less acidic than red tree tomatoes.
‘Ecuadorian Orange’
As the name indicates, this variety has orange fruit.
It is large and less acidic than red-fruited types.
It helps reduce the dreaded hornworm by attracting beneficial insects.
This annual herb also attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies, to the garden.
Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and used as garnishes or herbs.
Basil
Basil, a familiar culinary herb, adds fragrant foliage to the garden.
When planted near tree tomato plants, it repels thrips and hornworms.
A tamarillo is sweeter and tangier than a tomato.
It has lots of seeds and a bitter skin that is best removed before eating the fruit.
Several plants are not suitable as companions for tree tomato plants.
