Dwarf Tamarillo – 20 Seeds

Dwarf Tamarillo (Cyphomandra abutiloides) is a rare species of plant in the family Solanaceae, native to South America. It is known as Dwarf Tamarillo, due to superficial similarities with Solanum betaceum. This miniature version of the regular Tamarillo, and a close relative, bears smaller fruit in clusters. When fully ripe, each fruit is a deep golden-orange. The berries are around 1 cm (or slightly larger) in diameter.  Very sweet, fruity, tropical flavor, with overtones of pineapple.

It is a perennial plant that grows well if you live in a moderate, frost free climate or if you overwinter them in pots. A lot of patience is required, as the plant is initially very slow growing and after 3 years matures into a small tree of about 60cm – 90cm in height. By the 4th year the plant reaches a height of about 1.2m if grown in a container. It can reach heights of 1.8 to 3 meters if planted directly in the garden. Since the plant only forms a few leaves during the first 1 – 2 years, it is advisable to grow the plant in it’s own container, so as to not confuse the plant for a weed or some other plant.

Once the plant is about 3 years old, small white flowers form on branches throughout the plant, and individual clusters of flowers can contain as many as 20 blooms or more. Blooms are followed by fruits – a small oblong berry that ripens to a yellow-orange color.

Growing Dwarf Tamarillo

Indoor Sowing: Spring.

Direct Sowing: Not Recommended.

• Start seeds indoors. Direct sowing is not recommended as the seeds are very small.
• Use a standard potting mix that is well drained. Start seeds in containers approximately 8 weeks prior to the planned set-out date.
• Surface sow the seeds and cover with a thin layer of soil.
• Water carefully from the bottom or by using a spray bottle. Water when the soil surface just begins to dry.
• Multiple seeds can be planted in a single starter container, but should be thinned once seedlings appear so only a single plant remains.
• Seeds do not require light for germination but some light source should be provided for seedlings once they emerge from the soil.
• Great for containers.
• Grow in full to filtered sun.
• Water regularly during growth season.
• Use well-drained soil.