Tamarillo Seeds

Tamarillo Seeds
Common name   Tree Tomato
Botanical name   Solanum betaceum
Details   The tamarillo is a valuable and rewarding plant for a permaculture food forest, particularly in warm temperate or subtropical climates. Grown easily from seed, it establishes quickly and provides early fruit, biomass, and shade. While short-lived and somewhat fragile, its fast growth and pioneer characteristics make it ideal for early-stage food forests or as a temporary overstory. Thoughtful placement and care can ensure it contributes productively to a layered, resilient ecosystem.
Evergreen  
Frost sensitive  
Fruit / berries  
Perennial  
Price   $3.90  20 seeds
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Tamarillo Seeds
Tamarillo Seeds
Tamarillo Seeds

Overview

The tamarillo, also known as the tree tomato, is a fast-growing, shallow-rooted, subtropical small tree or large shrub native to South America. It produces brightly coloured, egg-shaped fruit with a tangy-sweet flavour. Tamarillos are well-suited to temperate climates with mild winters and are commonly grown in New Zealand as a niche fruit crop.

Growing Tamarillo from Seed

  • Seed Collection: Seeds can be harvested from fully ripe fruit. Scoop out the pulp, rinse to remove the gel coating, and dry on paper towel.

  • Germination: Seeds germinate easily and quickly under warm conditions (20–25 °C). Sow in trays or pots with free-draining seed mix. Germination typically occurs in 2–4 weeks.

  • Seedling Care: Seedlings grow rapidly. Transplant into larger containers once they have a few true leaves. Harden off before planting outside.

  • Time to Fruiting: Seed-grown tamarillos can begin fruiting in as little as 18–24 months under optimal conditions.

Note: Tamarillos grown from seed may show variation in fruit quality, as they do not breed true. For consistent fruit, vegetative propagation (e.g., cuttings) is preferred, but seed growing is ideal for forest garden diversity.

Growing Tamarillo in a Permaculture Forest Garden

Climate & Positioning

  • Climate: Suited to frost-free or light-frost areas. In cooler zones, plant in sheltered microclimates (e.g. against a warm wall).

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade.

  • Wind Protection: Essential, as plants are brittle and shallow-rooted. Use hedging or other trees as windbreaks.

Soil & Water

  • Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soils with good organic matter. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

  • Mulching: Deep mulching helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the root zone.

  • Watering: Needs regular water during dry spells and fruiting. Drought stress can cause fruit drop.

Integration in Forest Garden

  • Canopy Role: Tamarillo fits well as a sub-canopy or pioneer species in young forest gardens, providing shade for lower layers and rapid biomass.

  • Companions: Good companions include comfrey (nutrient accumulator), nitrogen-fixers (e.g. tagasaste, lupin), and dynamic mulch plants (e.g. yarrow, nasturtium).

  • Successions: Acts as an early to mid-succession plant; typically productive for 5–8 years, after which it can be chopped and dropped to make space for more permanent trees.

Maintenance

  • Pruning: Regular pruning encourages branching and reduces legginess. Shorter, bushier plants are easier to harvest and less prone to wind damage.

  • Fertility: Benefits from compost, mulch, and liquid feeds. Leaf yellowing often indicates nutrient deficiency, particularly nitrogen or magnesium.

Benefits in a Permaculture Context

  • Fast growth and early yield – good for quick food production.

  • Canopy diversification – adds vertical structure.

  • Useful biomass and chop-and-drop material.

  • Attracts pollinators – especially when flowering in late summer/autumn.

  • Edible and medicinal uses – fruit is high in vitamins A and C.

Challenges

  • Frost sensitivity – may need frost cloth or microclimate placement.

  • Wind breakage – structural weakness in high wind areas.

  • Short lifespan – may need replacement every 5–8 years.

  • Susceptible to pests – especially aphids, whitefly, and psyllids in some regions.