Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early February to late March
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7
- Biggest risk
- Honey fungus
In the UK, tamarillos go in the ground early February to late March.
Tamarillos (Solanum betaceum) — Fast-growing, tender, woody evergreen.
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
RHS gives no UK-region-specific dates; sow indoors/under glass from late winter to early spring, since this frost-tender plant must be raised under cover before eventually going outside for summer only. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.
Midlands - detail & sources
RHS gives no UK-region-specific dates; sow indoors/under glass from late winter to early spring, since this frost-tender plant must be raised under cover before eventually going outside for summer only. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS gives no UK-region-specific dates; sow indoors/under glass from late winter to early spring, since this frost-tender plant must be raised under cover before eventually going outside for summer only. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS gives no UK-region-specific dates; sow indoors/under glass from late winter to early spring, since this frost-tender plant must be raised under cover before eventually going outside for summer only. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.
Quick Facts
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Diseases
Pests
Tamarillo Photo Gallery
References
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Native to the Andes of Peru, and probably Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia, at 5,000-10,000ft elevation. Does best above 50F; frost at 28F 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 38F). 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.
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Clay, loam, sand or chalk, moist but well-drained, acid/alkaline/neutral. Full sun, south/west-facing, sheltered. Hardiness H1B (10-15C min) -- grow in a container outside in summer, under glass in colder months, or in a glasshouse. Height 4-8m, spread 2.5-4m, 2-5 years to maturity; fruits from second or third year if grown from seed. Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. Evergreen. Fruit ripens late summer/autumn, orange or red, oval. No regular pruning needed; prune in autumn if size reduction is wanted. Pests: aphids, glasshouse red spider mite. Diseases: honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews. Native to South America. 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 tamarillos 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 tamarillos?
Sow early February to late March.
What soil pH do tamarillos need?
A pH of about 6–7. 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 tamarillos?
Our data links 3 diseases and 4 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.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-09-03
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.