Litchi Tomato or Morelle De Balbis with blooms on a white background.
A trio of pies made from Litchi Tomato or Morelle De Balbis on a wooden background.
Litchi Tomato cluster on a marble background.
Litchi Tomatoes on a wooden board.
Litchi Tomato or Morelle De Balbis with blooms on a white background.
A trio of pies made from Litchi Tomato or Morelle De Balbis on a wooden background.
Litchi Tomato cluster on a marble background.
Litchi Tomatoes on a wooden board.

Litchi Tomato Seeds,
Litchi Tomato or Morelle De Balbis

3.372 ReviewsSKU: #GR112Min. seed count: 15
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Description

The most intriguing garden berry we have ever seen, and with superb creamy and mild cherry flavor. It is delightful to imagine litchi tomato into myriad culinary interpretations, from mock cherry pies to chutneys and pickles. Its Latin name is Solanum sisymbriifolium, but it goes by many aliases: Vila Vila in Latin America, litchi tomato in the U.S., and in France, Morelle de Balbis. It is a favorite fruit here at Baker Creek and has even been seen growing in the home garden of former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. While the alien-like plants may seem like a new innovation, litchi tomato was celebrated in seed catalogs of antiquity as an exotic and delicious fruit. The 1896 Wilson’s Seed Farm catalog featured a plant referred to as Solanum anthrophagorum. It was described as a bright red fruit that lends well to pies and sauces. The Wilson’s catalog also told of the fruit being used as a condiment for a cannibal’s meal of human flesh in Fiji. Botanists believe the litchi tomato to be native to South America, yet early accounts mention it as a plant growing in the islands of the South Pacific. Large plants grow to 5 feet and are covered with thorns, sweet red fruit, and large white flowers. Lovely to look at, but be careful with the thorns! The fruit is about the size of a cherry and tastes like a cherry crossed with a tomato. A very pretty and attractive plant that originated in South America, but has been naturalized in many countries. You can grow litchi tomato just as you would grow regular tomatoes. A great source of vitamins A and C!

Growing Tips: Start transplants indoors 6-10 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
Solanum sisymbriifolium
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
14–21
Days to Maturity
75–90
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
18 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Litchi tomatoes can be treated just like tomatoes. Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed. Sow barely covered, about 1/8 inch deep, in a quality seed starting mix with average moisture, holding warm temperatures — the ideal germination range is 70 to 78 F — and never letting the soil dry out. Seedlings appear in 14 to 21 days, and fruit follows in roughly 75 to 90 days.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Litchi tomatoes can be treated just like tomatoes in germinating.
  • Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed.
  • Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-78 F.
  • Sow in quality seed starting mix and provide average moisture.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.

How to Grow

  • Provide full sun.
  • Plants prefer well-drained soil with average to rich organic matter.
  • Provide average, consistent moisture.
  • Space plants 2-2.5 feet apart, and for best results grow up a cattle panel or other strong structure and secure plants as you would a tomato plant.
  • Please take caution when handling these plants as the prickles are quite painful.
  • Berries are ready to harvest when bright red and soft; the calyx will turn yellow.
  • Wear gloves when harvesting berries.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A pest- and disease-free plant.
  • This plant is used as a trap crop for potato cyst nematode.

How to Save Seeds

  • Litchi tomato is self pollinating; however, the flowers are often visited by insects and cross pollination can occur between other litchi tomatoes. The litchi tomato will not cross with other members of the solanaceous family.
  • Save seeds by allowing fruit to become quite squishy and soft before picking.
  • Mash berries and dilute with water to help separate the seeds from the flesh, then skim the skin and flesh, leaving just the seeds.
  • Dry seeds thoroughly and place in an airtight container.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

Does Litchi Tomato need support?

Yes — large plants grow to about 5 feet, so space them 18 inches apart. For best results grow them up a cattle panel or another strong structure and secure the plants as you would a tomato.

What about the thorns on Litchi Tomato?

The plants are covered with thorns and the prickles are quite painful, so take caution when handling them and wear gloves when harvesting. Berries are ready when they are bright red and soft and the calyx has turned yellow.

What does Litchi Tomato fruit taste like?

The fruit is about the size of a cherry and tastes like a cherry crossed with a tomato, creamy and mild. It is wonderful for snacking, and lends itself to preserves, pies, chutneys and pickles.
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