Tomato Tree

Who ever heard of a tomato tree?

Well, it ends up that there is a small tree in the nightshade family that produces tart fruits with the texture of an extra firm tomato. It is called tamarillo.

Tomato tree (Ljuba brank) CC BY-SA 3.0

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) goes by many other names, including blood fruit, Dutch eggplant, and poor man’s tomato.

Unlike the flavor of sun-sweetened tomatoes, these fruits taste more like what you might imagine an unripe melon crossed with a persimmon would be like. Before you give up on tamarillo, you need to know that these fruits are very flavorful. Add just a little sugar and transform the pulp into a refreshing beverage, refreshing toast topper, or delicious chutney, curry, or dessert.

​Tamarillo description

Fast-growing tamarillo trees can reach heights of 12 to 15 feet. These perennial trees can live for 12 years. Seed-grown tamarillos feature a central trunk, while those grown from cuttings have a bushier shape. Both produce clustered fruit on lateral branches. The flowers are fragrant and self-pollinating, though production increases significantly if another tamarillo is nearby to cross-pollinate the flowers.

Tomato tree fruits (Ivar Leidus) CC BY-SA 4.0

Fruits may be red (tart) or yellow (sweeter) and contain large seeds.

How to grow tamarillo

You can grow tamarillo from seeds or cuttings. Native to Central America, they prefer a warm climate and need protection from frost and cold winter temperatures.

These are shallow-rooted trees that require regular irrigation. Mulch helps maintain stable soil moisture levels. Since they can hybridize with other members of the tomato family, you may want to plant them at a distance from other nightshade crops.

Tamarillo pests and diseases

Tamarillos are susceptible to tomato mosaic and powdery mildew. Tomato potato psyllids can be devastating, and nematodes can seriously damage young trees. Aphids and whiteflies are also common pests of tamarillo.

While not what you expect from a tomato, a tomato tree might be just what your yard needs!