How to grow Pepino in New Zealand
Pepino, sometimes called sweet cucumber or pepino melon, is a small, bushy, frost-tender relative of the tomato with juicy, golden or purple-striped fruit that tastes somewhere between a melon and a cucumber. It crops well in warm, sheltered gardens and in pots, and it roots so easily from cuttings that you can keep plants going for years. New Zealand growers have long grown and bred it.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pepino in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to December | |
| Auckland | October to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | |
| Central North Island | November and December | Frost tender. Plant after the frosts and treat it as a summer crop. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October to December | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to December | |
| Canterbury | November and December | Frost tender. Plant out Nov to Dec once the frosts finish in mid October, as for tomatoes, and treat it as a summer crop. |
| Otago & Southland | November | Frost tender. Plant out in November after the last frost and treat it as a summer crop in the warmest spot or a tunnel house. |
| Central Otago | November | Frost tender. Plant out in November after the last frost and treat it as a summer crop; cover plants if a late frost threatens. |
Where to plant
Grow pepino in full sun in well-drained, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter, or in a good container mix. It does best in a warm, relatively frost-free spot and can survive only a brief light frost, so plant it after the last frost and protect it in winter.
The stems are lax and sprawl as the fruit gets heavy, so give plants a stake, a small cage or a low frame, as you would a bush tomato.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: plant from October to December. In frost-free gardens plants can carry over winter.
- Central North Island and Canterbury: plant in November and December once the frosts finish, as for tomatoes, and treat it as a summer crop.
- Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: plant out in November after the last frost and treat it as a summer crop in the warmest spot or a tunnel house; cover plants if a late frost threatens.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pepino Gold | Sweet, juicy, golden fruit with purple stripes; easy from cuttings |
| El Camino | A small, bushy plant with oval, yellow to green fruit; good in pots and hanging baskets |
| Ruby | Large, oval, metallic purple fruit that is sweet and juicy; compact, good in containers |
How to plant
- Plant young plants or rooted cuttings in spring once frosts are over and the soil is warm.
- Dig compost into a sunny, well-drained spot, plant at the same depth as in the pot and water in.
- Space plants about 60 cm apart and put in a stake or support at planting.
- Mulch to keep the soil moist and the fruit off the ground.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, especially in dry spells while fruit is forming; uneven watering can make the fruit split or drop.
Feed occasionally through summer with a fertiliser for fruiting plants, such as a tomato food.
Pruning and care through the year
- Tie the sprawling stems to their support as the fruit develops.
- Trim plants lightly when new growth appears in early spring.
- In frost-prone districts, take cuttings in late summer or autumn and keep them on a sheltered windowsill or in a glasshouse over winter for next season's plants.
- Check plants for tomato-potato psyllid, as for tomatoes.
Harvesting
Fruit is ready from about December. Pick it when the skin turns creamy yellow or gold, with distinct purple stripes on striped types, and the fruit gives slightly and smells fragrant. Green fruit can finish ripening on the bench.
Peel the skin, which can be tough, and eat the flesh fresh, in fruit salads, with yoghurt and honey, or in smoothies. Ripe fruit keeps about a week in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Pepino is well suited to pots at least 30 cm wide, and compact types such as El Camino and Ruby even suit hanging baskets. Use a good container mix in full sun, water regularly and feed occasionally. Pots can be moved under cover for winter in cold districts.
Propagation and saving seed
Pepino is usually grown from cuttings, which root easily without rooting hormone. Take 10 to 15 cm tip cuttings, remove the lower leaves and set them in propagating mix or a glass of water in a warm, bright spot until roots form. Plants from cuttings are true to the parent; seedlings vary.
Companion planting
Pepino is in the tomato family, so it suits a bed with other summer fruiting crops but shares their pests and rotation.
Good companions
- Tomato A relative with the same needs for sun, warmth and support.
- Capsicum Another summer crop for the same warm bed.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to pepino.
- Potato Potatoes share the same pests, including tomato-potato psyllid, and the same rotation.
Pests and diseases
Pepino shares the pests of tomatoes in New Zealand, especially tomato-potato psyllid.
Pests to watch for
- Tomato-potato psyllid Tiny cicada-like insects and yellow-green nymphs under leaves, with white sugary granules; leaves yellow and curl and plants stall.
- Aphids Clusters on young shoots and under leaves.
- Whitefly Tiny white flies rising from the leaves when disturbed, especially under cover.
Pepino is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What does pepino taste like?
Juicy and mildly sweet, like a cross between a honeydew melon and a cucumber. It is best eaten fully ripe and peeled.
How do I know when a pepino is ripe?
When the skin turns creamy yellow or gold, purple stripes show clearly on striped types, and the fruit gives slightly and smells fragrant.
Can pepino survive winter?
Only in frost-free gardens. It can take only a brief light frost. In colder districts, take cuttings in autumn and keep them indoors or in a glasshouse over winter.
How do I grow pepino from cuttings?
Take a 10 to 15 cm tip cutting, remove the lower leaves and put it in propagating mix or a glass of water in a warm, bright spot. It roots easily, usually without hormone.
Why are my pepino leaves yellow and curled?
Check under the leaves for tomato-potato psyllid, which also attacks tomatoes and potatoes. Remove badly affected growth and manage it as you would on tomatoes.
Sources we checked: Incredible Edibles: Pepino; Wikipedia: Solanum muricatum (pepino).