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How to Grow Pepino Dulce UK | Regional Planting Calendar

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How to Grow Pepino Dulce UK | Regional Planting Calendar guide thumbnail

Pepino Dulce (Solanum muricatum)

Pepino dulce flowers and fruit on the plant — “Starr-091020-8375-Solanum muricatum-flowers and fruit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24868470622)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons

2 sources cited · Verified

The short answer

Plant
Early February to late March
Site
6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6.5–7.5
Biggest risk
Bacterial spot

In the UK, pepino dulce go in the ground early February to late March.

Pepino dulce (Solanum muricatum) — Tender perennial shrub (RHS.

Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: sowing early February, and that same window applies across all 4 regions covered here.

Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural sources — see References.

Regional Planting Calendar

Region Sow
Southern England early February to late March
Midlands early February to late March
Northern England early February to late March
Scotland early February to late March
Southern England - detail & sources

CRFG's frost-relative rule (plant out after frost danger passes, February-April in California) is applied as one UK-wide indoor propagation window across all four sub-regions -- this frost-tender crop is raised under cover before ever going outside.

Midlands - detail & sources

CRFG's frost-relative rule (plant out after frost danger passes, February-April in California) is applied as one UK-wide indoor propagation window across all four sub-regions -- this frost-tender crop is raised under cover before ever going outside.

Northern England - detail & sources

CRFG's frost-relative rule (plant out after frost danger passes, February-April in California) is applied as one UK-wide indoor propagation window across all four sub-regions -- this frost-tender crop is raised under cover before ever going outside.

Scotland - detail & sources

CRFG's frost-relative rule (plant out after frost danger passes, February-April in California) is applied as one UK-wide indoor propagation window across all four sub-regions -- this frost-tender crop is raised under cover before ever going outside.

Quick Facts

Pepino dulce flowers and fruit on the plant — “Starr-091020-8375-Solanum muricatum-flowers and fruit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24868470622)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Starr-091020-8375-Solanum muricatum-flowers and fruit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24868470622)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Factor Value
Soil pH 6.5 - 7.5
Sunlight 6-8 hours direct sun
Minimum survivable temp -3C
Soil texture Loam, fertile and well-draining (RHS; CRFG)
Drainage Moist but well-drained; shallow roots are sensitive to both drought and waterlogging (RHS; CRFG)
Lifecycle Tender perennial shrub (RHS; CRFG)
Edible parts fruit

At a Glance

The overall growth habit of a pepino dulce plant — “Starr-091020-8374-Solanum muricatum-habit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24868468492)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Starr-091020-8374-Solanum muricatum-habit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24868468492)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Solanum muricatum Pepino Dulce Bacterial spot (Solanac… Phytophthora blight Alternaria leaf blight Honey fungus Aphids Glasshouse whitefly Glasshouse red spider m… Cutworms Colorado potato beetle Flea beetles Leaf miners Fruit flies Hornworms DISEASES PESTS

Soil & Growing Conditions

A pepino dulce plant grown in a container against a wall — “Solanum muricatum R.H. (7)” by Rob Hille is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Solanum muricatum R.H. (7)” by Rob Hille is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Soil pH range

6.5 7.5

Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.

Growth Stages

A purple and white pepino dulce flower — “Solanum muricatum R.H. (2)” by Rob Hille is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Solanum muricatum R.H. (2)” by Rob Hille is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Stage BBCH Notes
Propagation and establishment 0 Usually propagated from 3-5in stem cuttings with rooting hormone under mist with bottom heat, rather than seed (CRFG). Plant out after frost danger passes, February to April.
Vegetative growth 3 Grow in full sun in a sheltered spot, ideally against a south-facing wall; space 2-3ft apart. Shallow roots need consistent moisture -- avoid both drought and waterlogging (CRFG).
Flowering and fruit set 6 Fruit production needs night temperatures above 65F/18C (CRFG). Feed with a high-potassium tomato-type fertiliser for maximum crop (RHS).
Harvest 8 Harvest only fully mature fruit, once ground colour turns yellow to light orange (CRFG); ripe fruit bruises easily.

Harvest & Storage

Pepino dulce plant with multiple fruit forming — “Starr-091020-8378-Solanum muricatum-fruiting habit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24359607403)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Starr-091020-8378-Solanum muricatum-fruiting habit-Kula Experiment Station-Maui (24359607403)” by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0 us. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

When to pick: Pick only once fully mature -- ground colour turns yellow to light orange -- for the best flavour and sugar content (CRFG). Fruit bruises easily; stores 3-4 weeks at 38F/3C under high humidity (CRFG).

Diseases

Bacterial spot (Solanaceae)
moderate

CRFG names bacterial spot as a risk, noting pepino is managed much like tomato for pests and diseases.

Phytophthora blight
low

Phytophthora spp.

CRFG names this disease directly, shared with tomato and other Solanaceae.

Alternaria leaf blight
low

Alternaria dauci

CRFG names this disease directly, shared with tomato and other Solanaceae.

Honey fungus
low

Armillaria spp.

RHS notes honey fungus rarely affects this crop.

Pests

low

Aphididae (various spp.)

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Glasshouse whitefly adult on a leaf — Sanja565658, CC BY-SA 3.0
Sanja565658, CC BY-SA 3.0
Glasshouse whitefly
low

Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Two-spotted red spider mite with silk threads, magnified — Gilles San Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Gilles San Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Glasshouse red spider mite (two-spotted spider mite)
low

Tetranychus urticae

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Cutworms
low

Noctuidae

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Colorado potato beetle
low

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Flea beetles
low

Chrysomelidae: Alticini (various spp.)

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Leaf miners
low

Agromyzidae

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Fruit flies
low

Tephritidae (various spp.)

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Hornworms
low

Manduca spp.

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

References

  1. Native to temperate Andean regions of Colombia, Peru and Chile (not found wild -- exact origin unclear). Warm, frost-free climate; survives brief freezes at 27-28F but may lose leaves; fruit production needs night temperatures above 65F. Soil pH 6.5-7.5, fertile, well-draining, neutral; less salt-tolerant than tomato; mulch suppresses weeds. Sunny or semi-shaded, frost-protected, wind-sheltered site; south-facing walls/patios ideal. Space 2-3ft apart. Shallow roots make it sensitive to moisture stress; microjet irrigation preferred over drip; overhead sprinkling may help pollination. Propagate from 3-5in stem cuttings with rooting hormone, mist and bottom heat; plant out after frost danger (Feb-April). Pests/diseases similar to tomato: bacterial spot, anthracnose, Alternaria and Phytophthora blights, spider mites, cutworms, hornworms, leaf miners, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetles, fruit flies. Harvest only fully mature fruit (ground colour yellow to light orange) for best flavour; bruises easily, stores 3-4 weeks at 38F/high humidity.

  2. Loam, moist but well-drained, neutral pH. Full sun, any aspect, sheltered. Hardiness H2 (1-5C min, cannot survive freezing). Height/spread 0.5-1m, 2-5 years to maturity. Propagate by seed. Egg-shaped fruit, smooth creamy-yellow skin with purple stripes. Feed with high-potassium (tomato) fertiliser for maximum crop. Pests: aphids, mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite. Diseases: honey fungus (rarely), tomato leaf mould, tomato viruses. Family Solanaceae.

2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I sow pepino dulce in the UK?

In Southern England, from early February. In Scotland, wait until early February. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.

When do I sow pepino dulce?

Sow early February to late March.

What soil pH do pepino dulce need?

A pH of about 6.5–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.

What problems affect pepino dulce?

Our data links 4 diseases and 9 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.

Plan next season before the problems start

Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.

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SoilCommander Editorial Team

UK vegetable growing guides · Checked against RHS & Met Office guidance

Every SoilCommander guide is written and maintained by our editorial team for real UK growing conditions, and reviewed against Royal Horticultural Society growing advice and Met Office climate data before publication.

Vegetable Growing Guides UK

Last verified 2026-09-03

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