Solanum betaceum - Tamarillo, Tomato Tree

This is the well known tomato tree or tamarillo. Solanum betaceum is a fast growing small tree, up to 2-5 m tall. The "tree tomato" has very ornamental hearth-shaped, velvety leaves. In Spanish it is called Tamarillo or Tomate de Árbol.

It is native to high elevation areas, and it is suitable for cultivation in cooler climates. It does not stand frost, but it grows very well in cool temperatures. In the Canary Islands it is sometimes seen in home gardens at about 600 m altitude.

Edible, tomato-like fruits hang from the branches. Solanum betaceum was formerly named Cyphomandra betacea and it is actually placed in the same family of the true tomato.

The size of the plant we offer in the Shop is: 30-90 cm. Height is very variable because the plant is fast-growing. In any case we alway try to select and ship a robust, well rooted plant.



Picture of the two fruits from Wikimedia: By Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73772542