Dwarf Tamarillo: 9 Ways to Grow the Best Product You Can

Dwarf Tamarillos were not originally on my list of things to grow this year but I knew I wanted more fruits and when I saw that the fruit had undertones of pineapples my ears perked up. My family loves pineapples and I love finding treats that other farmers are not growing. It soothe my inner chef.

Details about Dwarf Tamarillos

Variety/Seed Information

I ordered my seeds from Baker Seed Company.

You should start them 12-24 weeks before the last frost date. For zone 8, this is mid- December.

I am still going to start them this year, doing so on Friday February 21. I will put it on the heat mat and have the lights going for 12 hours a day, making sure the soil is wet daily.

They should sprout no later than March 14th.

Planting Depth & Spacing

Depth: 1/8 of an inch

Spacing: Eighteen inches apart

*This means that I will probably grow these fruits along the driveway and I am going to pot them. They say to put them in fifteen gallon pots.

watering schedule

They say to water it weekly but to check and make sure the soil is dry before you do. If wet, don’t water. You don’t want the soil to become waterlogged, which will hurt the plant.

A Dwarf Tamarillo bush with baby fruit growing
fertilization information

I cannot find much information on fertilizing the Dwarf Tamarillo bush/tree, so I am going to grow it in a citrus soil mixture for now. If anything changes, I will update this section.

Sunlight and Climate

It likes eight to twelve hours per day of sunlight and warm climate. They grow best in zones 9-11, which means when it gets cold, we will have to put it in the greenhouse.

Pests

A grower on the Baker Seed’s website that they are fairly immune to a lot of pests, including grasshoppers and spider mites.

That being said, when I researched it a little, the three big bugs are aphids, whitefly, and spider mites.

  • For aphids you can raise flowers that attract ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. You can also use insecticidal soap (which you can make on your own using distilled water, soap, and vegetable oil) and diatomaceous earth works as well.
  • Whiteflies can be taken care of in the same way. In addition, rubbing some neem oil on your plants leaves will help because they kill whiteflies at all stages.
  • To get spider mites off your dwarf tamarillo plants, you should also attract helpful bugs as well as use a combination of neem oil and insecticidal soap.
Days to Germination & Maturity

Dwarf Tamarillos take between fourteen and twenty-one days to germinate (which, in all honest, might stress me out a bit. LOL) and one hundred days to maturity.

Growth and Health

 thriving best in warm, frost-free climates with well-draining soil and ample organic matter; it typically grows to a height of 6-10 feet and can be cultivated in containers, requiring regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain its bushy form.

Taste & Cooking Notes

Bitter if not eaten ripe. Pineapple undertones. Cannot wait to cook with the dwarf tamarillos!

Lessons Learned About the Tomato & Next Season’s Ideas

Coming soon but for now, be sure to check out all the other plants we are growing this season!

Farmer and Freelance Writer

Tiffany Taylor is a former chef and culinary arts teacher with a deep passion for food and its connections to health, community, and faith. Currently pursuing a Master's in Gastronomy, Tiffany is also the co-founder of Harvest Ranch, a farm dedicated to holistic gardening and animal husbandry. With plans for an event venue and guest rooms on the horizon, Harvest Ranch reflects our commitment to sustainable living and fostering a deeper relationship with the land.
In addition to farming, Tiffany writes about recipes, household tips, and living a Christian lifestyle, sharing wisdom and practical advice that nurtures both the body and spirit.