How to Grow Tamarillo in NZ: When to Plant, Care and Harvest
Updated October 2026
A fast-growing New Zealand favourite that fruits within about 18 months but is frost-tender and short-lived (5 to 7 years). Plant in spring in a warm sheltered spot out of wind, as the brittle branches snap easily. Replant regularly from fresh stock.
What it looks like as it grows
🌱 Plant profile: Tamarillo, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.
When to Plant Tamarillo in Your Region
Tamarillos are planted in spring in a warm, sheltered spot. These are the planting months for each of our nine New Zealand regions, and whether the region suits tamarillos, straight from our planting data. Each region links to its vegetable planting calendar, and the Tamarillo plant page has spacing, companions and care notes for your region.
| Region | Plant trees | Suits the region? | Local note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to November | Yes | Effectively frost free. |
| Auckland | September to November | Yes | Effectively frost free. |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October and November | Yes | Plant Oct to Nov once the frosts are over, in a warm spot out of the wind. Inland Waikato frosts can kill young trees, so use frost cloth. |
| Central North Island | Not recommended outdoors | Not suited outdoors | Frost kills tamarillos, and plateau winters are too hard for them outdoors. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to November | Yes | Frosts on average from 10 June to 30 August. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October and November | Marginal | Marginal. Plant Oct to Nov once the frosts finish, in a warm spot out of the wind, and protect young trees with frost cloth. |
| Canterbury | Not recommended outdoors | Not suited outdoors | Frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors here; grow one in a glasshouse. |
| Otago & Southland | Not recommended outdoors | Not suited outdoors | Frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors here; grow one in a glasshouse. |
| Central Otago | Not recommended outdoors | Not suited outdoors | Hard frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors. |
Northland, Auckland and Wellington and the lower North Island plant tamarillos from September to November. Waikato and the Bay of Plenty plant in October and November once the frosts are over, in a warm spot out of the wind, with frost cloth for young trees in inland Waikato. Nelson and Marlborough are marginal. Frost kills tamarillos, so our data does not recommend them outdoors in the central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland or Central Otago; in Canterbury and Otago and Southland a glasshouse is the way to grow one. Our frost protection guide shows how to cover young trees.
Best tamarillo varieties for NZ
- Red, The classic tart red-fruited tamarillo, the most widely grown type. (Awapuni Nurseries, garden centres)
- Yellow, Sweeter, milder amber-fruited form, good for fresh eating. (garden centres)
How to grow tamarillo
- Space trees about 300cm apart.
- Plant a young tree in a warm, sheltered, frost free spot.
- Position: full sun, out of the wind.
- Expect the first fruit about 18 months after planting.
How to Plant and Care for a Tamarillo
- Choose full sun with shelter from wind, in rich, moist, well drained soil.
- Stake the trunk at planting time, because the brittle trunk can split or blow over once the tree carries fruit.
- Water regularly, as the shallow roots dry out fast, and mulch well to keep them cool.
- Feed several times through the growing season with a balanced fertiliser.
- Protect the tree from frost, and plant a replacement every few years, because tamarillos are short lived.
Growing Tamarillo in a Pot
Tamarillos suit containers. Our plant data calls for a pot of at least 40 cm, and a pot lets you move the tree somewhere sheltered in a cold snap. Stake it as you would in the ground, and keep the water up, because pots and shallow roots both dry out fast.
When Are Tamarillos Ripe?
Our plant data allows about 540 days, roughly 18 months, from planting to the first fruit, and puts the harvest from April to October. A tamarillo is ripe when it is fully coloured, glossy and gives slightly to a gentle squeeze. Pull it with a light twist or snip the stalk. Ripen firm fruit on the bench, keep ripe fruit in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks, and freeze the pulp for later. The red tamarillo is the classic tart type, and the yellow is sweeter and milder for eating fresh.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Tomato/potato psyllid, Aphids, Passionvine hopper, Green vegetable bug. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
🌱 Plant Tamarillo in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant tamarillo in New Zealand?
Plant tamarillos in spring. Our planting data gives September to November in Northland, Auckland and Wellington and the lower North Island, and October and November in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty and in Nelson and Marlborough, after the frosts. Frost kills tamarillos, so they are not recommended outdoors in the central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland or Central Otago.
Where can I buy tamarillo seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Awapuni Nurseries, garden centres.
When are tamarillos ripe in NZ?
Our plant data puts the tamarillo harvest from April to October. The fruit is ripe when it is fully coloured, glossy and gives slightly to a gentle squeeze.
Can you grow tamarillos in Canterbury?
Not outdoors. Frosts kill tamarillos, so our data does not recommend them in Canterbury, Otago and Southland or Central Otago. In Canterbury and Otago and Southland, grow one in a glasshouse.
How long do tamarillo trees live?
Tamarillos are short lived, usually 5 to 7 years, though they fruit within about 18 months. Plant a replacement every few years so you always have a tree cropping.
Can you grow a tamarillo in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot of at least 40 cm, stake the trunk, and water regularly, because the shallow roots dry out fast.
Plant profile
The tamarillo profile has sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.