How to Grow Tamarillos

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil pH	6 - 7
Sunlight	6-8 hours direct sun
Soil texture	Clay, loam, sand or chalk (RHS); fertile, light, organically rich preferred (CRFG)
Drainage	Moist but well-drained; perfect drainage essential, cannot tolerate standing water (RHS; CRFG)
Lifecycle	Fast-growing, tender, woody evergreen (RHS); short-lived perennial tree (CRFG)
Edible parts	fruit
Documented problems	3 diseases, 4 pests

At a Glance

Diseases

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite (two-spotted spider mite)

low

Tetranychus urticae

Named directly on the crop's own growing-guide sources.

Fruit flies

low

Tephritidae (various spp.)

Named directly on the crop's own growing-guide sources.

Root-knot nematodes

low

Meloidogyne spp.

Named directly on the crop's own growing-guide sources.

Aphids

low

Aphididae (various spp.)

Named directly on the crop's own growing-guide sources.

Soil & Growing Conditions

Soil pH range

6 7

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

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing and establishment	0	Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings (RHS); freezing washed seed for 24 hours before sowing speeds germination (CRFG). Prune young trees to 3-4ft to encourage branching (CRFG).
Vegetative growth	3	Grow in full sun (partial shade in hot, dry climates) in fertile, well-drained soil with wind shelter -- roots are shallow and branches brittle (CRFG). Frost-tender, especially in the first year.
Flowering and fruit set	6	Feed annually with a balanced NPK fertiliser, split between early spring and midsummer, plus a superphosphate application every other year (CRFG).
Harvest	8	Fruiting begins in the second or third year from seed (RHS). Harvest once fruit is fully coloured; remove fruited branches afterwards to stimulate new growth (CRFG).

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: Ripens late summer and autumn (RHS); pick once fruit shows full yellow or red colour (CRFG). Stores refrigerated up to 10 weeks, but not below 38°F/3°C (CRFG).

Sources

1. California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) - Tamarillo

   Native to the Andes of Peru, and probably Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia, at 5,000-10,000ft elevation. Does best above 50°F; frost at 28°F kills small branches, though mature trees can recover from infrequent light frost -- seedlings/cuttings are frost-tender in their first year. Full sun, except partial shade in hot dry areas. Fertile, light, organically rich soil with perfect drainage -- standing water for days can kill the plant. Needs wind protection (shallow roots, brittle branches). Cannot tolerate prolonged drought; needs ample water in dry periods, mulch helps. Fertilise 0.5-2lb per tree of 5:6:6 NPK annually, half in early spring/half in midsummer, plus 0.5lb superphosphate every other year in late winter. Propagate by seed (produces tall erect trees) or cuttings (shorter, bushier); freezing washed seed 24 hours before sowing speeds germination. Prune new trees to 3-4ft to encourage branching; remove fruited branches annually afterwards. Harvest when fruit shows full yellow or red colour; stores refrigerated up to 10 weeks (not below 38°F). Pests: green aphids, fruit flies, nematodes (occasional). Diseases: powdery mildew (can cause serious defoliation if uncontrolled); resistant to tobacco mosaic virus but susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and potato viruses; die-back can affect flowers and new shoots.

These source is specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG), Royal Horticultural Society) is in the references of our UK guide to tamarillos; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.