How to grow Tamarillo in New Zealand
The tamarillo is a Kiwi icon: a fast, soft-wooded small tree from South America that gives tangy red or gold fruit through autumn and winter. It is frost tender and short lived, so it suits warm, sheltered gardens in the north and coastal districts, and it needs a watchful eye for the tomato/potato psyllid.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Tamarillo in NZ: When to Plant, Care and Harvest
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to November | |
| Auckland | September to November | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October and November | 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 suited | Frost kills tamarillos, and plateau winters are too hard for them outdoors. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to November | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October and November | 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 suited | Frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors here; grow one in a glasshouse. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors here; grow one in a glasshouse. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Hard frosts kill tamarillos. Not suited outdoors. |
Not to be confused with: Tomato. Tamarillo was sold as the tree tomato until 1967, and the two are related, but tamarillo is a perennial small tree. Both are hosts of the tomato/potato psyllid.
Where to plant
Tamarillos are subtropical and dislike both frost and extreme heat. In New Zealand they are grown commercially mainly in coastal areas of the North Island, where frosts are rare. Choose the warmest, most sheltered spot you have, out of the wind, as the branches are brittle and snap easily.
The soil must drain well. Tamarillos have shallow roots and large soft leaves, so they need steady water in summer, but standing in wet soil for even a few days can kill them. On heavy soil, plant on a raised mound.
- Northland, Auckland and coastal Bay of Plenty: the best districts. Plant in spring, or in late autumn where frosts do not reach.
- Inland Waikato and Nelson: plant in October or November after the frosts in a warm, sheltered spot, and cover young trees with frost cloth on cold nights.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland: frosts kill tamarillos outdoors. Grow one in a glasshouse or a large pot that can be moved under cover.
Choosing a variety
- Red types such as Ted's Red and Oratia Red have deep red skin and dark red pulp around the seeds, with a sharp, tangy flavour that is excellent in jams and preserves.
- Gold or yellow types are large and fleshy, slightly sweeter than red and less acidic, and good for chutneys and sauces.
- Amber types, and Tango with its reddish-orange skin, are the sweetest and mildest, and nice eaten fresh with a spoon.
- Tamarillos are self fertile, so one tree will crop on its own.
How to plant
- Dig in plenty of compost or sheep pellets, especially on sandy soil.
- Put in a sturdy stake first, on the side the wind comes from.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, set the tree in, backfill and firm gently.
- Water in well and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.
- Mulch around the base with pea straw or bark, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water deeply once or twice a week in the growing season, more often in pots and in hot, dry spells. Tamarillos will not tolerate drought, but they will not tolerate wet feet either, so water deeply and let the top of the soil dry a little in between.
They grow fast and fruit heavily, so feed with a citrus or fruit tree fertiliser in early spring, summer and autumn. Keep weeds and grass away from the shallow roots, and top up the mulch before the first frost so the soil holds its warmth.
Pruning and care through the year
- When the young tree reaches about 1 to 1.5 m, pinch out the top to make it branch.
- Tamarillos fruit on the new season's growth. Prune each year after fruiting has finished and the risk of frost has passed, shortening branches so the fruit is carried closer to the trunk and the brittle limbs do not break.
- Check under the leaves often for the tomato/potato psyllid. If psyllids are on the tree over winter, pick off and bag the infested leaves.
- Trees are short lived and decline after several years of cropping, so many gardeners raise a replacement from seed every few years.
Harvesting
Fruit ripens from autumn through winter and into spring, with the heaviest crop in mid winter. It is ready when it has fully coloured for its variety. Snap or cut it off with the stalk attached.
Fruit left in the bowl for a week or so loses some of its acidity. Tamarillos keep for about a week at room temperature and up to two weeks in the fridge, and they freeze well whole once peeled, or pureed. To peel, cover them with boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, cool them in cold water, make a small cut and the skin slips off.
Growing in pots
In cold districts a tamarillo can be grown in a pot at least 60 cm wide, in good potting mix, in full sun out of the wind. Water two or three times a week in the growing season and feed regularly, and move it into a glasshouse or sheltered porch before the frosts.
Growing from seed
Tamarillos are easy to raise from seed. Scoop seeds from a ripe fruit, rinse and dry them, and sow in seed-raising mix on a heat pad or in a warm spot in spring. Seedlings grow fast and can fruit in about two years.
Companion planting
Tamarillos have shallow roots and dislike competition, so keep the area under the tree clear and mulched rather than planted up.
Good companions
- Marigold French marigolds planted around the tree are recommended by Tui to help deter whitefly in summer.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to tamarillo.
Pests and diseases
The tomato/potato psyllid is the biggest threat to tamarillos in New Zealand. It spreads a bacterium (Liberibacter) that can kill a tree within weeks to months.
Pests to watch for
- Tomato/potato psyllid Tiny cicada-like insects and flat, scale-like nymphs under the leaves, with white sugary granules. Leaves yellow and curl, and infected trees decline and die.
- Whitefly Clouds of tiny white insects rise from under the leaves when the tree is brushed.
- Aphids Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and under leaves.
- Passionvine hopper Small brown triangular adults and fluffy-tailed nymphs on stems in summer.
- Green vegetable bug Green shield-shaped bugs feeding on shoots and young fruit.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew A white, powdery coating on leaves, most often in late summer.
Common questions
Why is my tamarillo tree dying?
In New Zealand the most common cause is the tomato/potato psyllid, which spreads a bacterium that can kill a tree within weeks to months. Wet feet and frost are the other usual causes. Check under the leaves for psyllids, make sure the soil drains well, and protect young trees from frost.
How long until a tamarillo fruits?
Usually about 18 months to two years from planting, and seedlings can fruit in a similar time. Trees are short lived, so plan to replace them every several years.
When are tamarillos ripe?
When the fruit has fully coloured red, amber or gold, depending on the variety. In New Zealand fruit ripens from autumn through winter into spring, with most of the crop in mid winter.
Can I grow a tamarillo in Christchurch or Dunedin?
Not outdoors in most gardens, as frosts kill it. Grow one in a glasshouse or in a large pot that you can move under cover for winter.
Do I need two tamarillo trees for fruit?
No. Tamarillos are self fertile and are pollinated by insects and wind, so a single tree will crop.
How do I peel tamarillos?
Cover the fruit with boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, then drain and cool it in cold water. Make a small cut and the skin slips off. The skin is bitter, so it is not eaten.
When should I prune a tamarillo?
After fruiting has finished and the frosts are over. It fruits on new growth, so a yearly prune keeps it productive and stops the brittle branches breaking under the weight of fruit.
Sources we checked: New Zealand Tamarillo Growers Association: History; New Zealand Tamarillo Growers Association: Becoming a grower; New Zealand Tamarillo Growers Association: Varieties, availability and storage; Tui: Tamarillo growing guide; Yates NZ: How to grow tamarillo; Plant & Food Research: Controlling the tomato/potato psyllid in the home garden.