How to Grow Pepino Dulce USA | Care, Pests & Disease Control

Diseases

Pests

Aphids

low

Aphididae (various spp.)

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

Glasshouse whitefly

low

Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Named directly by RHS or CRFG for this crop.

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.

Quick Facts

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

Soil & Growing Conditions

Soil pH range

6.5 7.5

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

Growth Stages

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

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).

Pepino Dulce Photo Gallery

Pepino dulce flowers and fruit

Pepino dulce flowers and developing fruit together on the plant.

Pepino dulce fruiting habit

The fruiting habit of pepino dulce, showing multiple fruit forming on the plant.

Pepino dulce growth habit

The overall growth habit of a pepino dulce plant.

Pepino dulce flower

A pepino dulce flower, showing its purple-and-white star shape typical of the tomato family.

Pepino dulce grown in a pot

A pepino dulce grown in a container against a wall, a sheltered spot that suits this frost-tender plant.

A pepino dulce plant

A pepino dulce plant in a garden setting.

Pepino dulce in the garden

A young pepino dulce plant in a garden bed.

Pepino dulce leaf

Detail of a pepino dulce leaf.

Pepino dulce flowers and leaves

Pepino dulce flowers among its leaves.

References

1. California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) - Pepino Dulce

   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. Royal Horticultural Society - Solanum muricatum (F) pepino

   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.