Dwarf Tamarillos of various stages on a white background.
Tamarillo Seeds, Dwarf
Dwarf Tamarillo berries with blooms and a jar full of jam on light blue background.
Clusters of Dwarf Tamarillo fruit with blooms and leaf on a white background.
Dwarf Tamarillos with jam and bread on light blue background.
Dwarf Tamarillo berries with a fruit grider and some jam in a bowl. Image by Lucy Hutchins.
Dwarf Tamarillos of various stages on a white background.
Tamarillo Seeds, Dwarf
Dwarf Tamarillo berries with blooms and a jar full of jam on light blue background.
Clusters of Dwarf Tamarillo fruit with blooms and leaf on a white background.
Dwarf Tamarillos with jam and bread on light blue background.
Dwarf Tamarillo berries with a fruit grider and some jam in a bowl. Image by Lucy Hutchins.

Tamarillo Seeds,
Dwarf

440 ReviewsSKU: #GR136Min. seed count: 25
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Description

Sweet, tangy fruit in abundance! When fully ripe, each fruit is a deep golden orange. Very sweet, fruity, tropical flavor, with overtones of pineapple—dwarf tamarillos are superb for juicing, pies, preserves, whipped into smoothies, or eaten out of hand. The foliage is very fragrant, and at all stages the plants are very lovely and ornamental! This South American native produces well in our Missouri gardens. We start these like tomatoes; super easy to grow! In frost-free conditions, it eventually grows into a small tree. Super delicious!

Growing Tips: Start transplants indoors 12-24 weeks before last frost, barely covering. Hold at warm temps, 70-85F; do not allow soil to dry out. Transplant after last frost.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cyphomandra abutiloides
Life Cycle
Tender perennial
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
14–21
Days to Maturity
100
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
18 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Dwarf tamarillo needs a long head start: sow indoors 12 to 24 weeks before your last spring frost, surface sowing and only lightly covering the seed. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70-80 F, and seeds should sprout in 14 to 21 days; from there hold the seedlings at warm temps, 70-85 F, and do not let the soil dry out.

Transplant outdoors after the last spring frost has passed, setting plants a minimum of 18 inches apart in full to partial sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Fruit comes in at around 100 days, and the plants are not frost hardy, though in frost-free conditions a dwarf tamarillo eventually grows into a small tree.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Start seeds indoors 12-24 weeks before the last spring frost.
  • Surface sow and lightly cover the seeds.
  • Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70-80 F.
  • Seeds should sprout in 14-21 days.

How to Grow

  • Transplant outdoors after the last spring frost.
  • Plant a minimum of 18” apart in full to partial sun.
  • A location with fertile, well-draining soil is ideal.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Tamarillos are fairly pest resistant.

How to Save Seeds

  • Scoop seeds from overly mature fruit.
  • Mix seeds with a small amount of water and let it ferment for a few days.
  • Rinse seeds and lay them out on a screen to dry.
  • Store in a cool, dark, and dry place until next season.

FAQ

How early do I need to start dwarf tamarillo seeds indoors?

Very early. Sow 12 to 24 weeks before your last spring frost. We start them much like tomatoes: surface sow, barely cover, hold the soil at 70-80 F for germination, and do not allow it to dry out. Germination takes 14 to 21 days, and the young plants want warm temps, 70-85 F, from there on.

Where do dwarf tamarillo plants go once frost is past, and how much room do they need?

Transplant after the last spring frost into full to partial sun, a minimum of 18 inches apart, in fertile, well-draining soil. Tamarillos are fairly pest resistant.

What do dwarf tamarillo fruits taste like, and how are they used?

When fully ripe each fruit is a deep golden orange, very sweet, with a fruity tropical flavor and overtones of pineapple. They are superb for juicing, pies and preserves, whipped into smoothies, or eaten out of hand. The foliage is very fragrant, and at all stages the plants are lovely and ornamental.
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