Pepino Melon (Solanum muricatum) 2L Pot
Solanum muricatum is an Andean fruiting plant grown for its soft foliage and pale fruit marked with purple stripes.
Pepino Melon develops a low, branching or trailing habit with soft green leaves. Mature plants produce small purple and white flowers followed by rounded or oval fruit.
The fruit changes from green to cream or pale yellow as it ripens and commonly develops purple streaks or stripes. Fully ripe fruit has juicy flesh with a mild, sweet flavour often compared with melon and cucumber.
Pepino fruit can be eaten fresh, chilled or used in salads, desserts, drinks and fruit dishes.
In the UK, Pepino Melon can be grown in a greenhouse, polytunnel or warm and sheltered patio position.
Plant Details
Botanical name: Solanum muricatum
Common names: Pepino Melon, Pepino Dulce, Melon Pear
Plant family: Solanaceae
Habit: Low-growing, branching or trailing tender perennial
Potential height: Approximately 60–100 cm, with a wider spreading habit
Foliage: Soft green leaves
Flowers: Small purple and white flowers
Fruit: Rounded or oval pale fruit with purple stripes
Position: Full sun
Suitable for: Greenhouses, polytunnels, patios, hanging containers and large pots
Hardiness: Tender and not frost hardy
Growing Advice
Grow your Pepino Melon in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-draining compost. Move the plant into a larger container or hanging pot if more space is required.
Keep the compost evenly moist during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Irregular watering may affect fruit growth, while waterlogging can damage the roots.
Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser during early growth. Change to a high-potassium tomato feed once flowers or young fruit appear.
The spreading stems can be allowed to trail or supported using canes and ties. Supporting the fruit above the soil helps to prevent damage and improves airflow.
Plants may be moved outside once the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny position protected from strong winds.
Pepino Melon can be overwintered in a bright, frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Cut the plant back if necessary and reduce watering during periods of slower winter growth.
Fruiting in the UK
Pepino Melon can produce fruit successfully in the UK when provided with sufficient warmth and sunlight.
Greenhouse or polytunnel cultivation usually gives the most reliable crop.
Fruit should be left on the plant until the skin has changed to cream or pale yellow, the purple markings are clearly visible and the fruit has developed a noticeable aroma.
What You Will Receive
You will receive one Pepino Melon plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.
Plants may be supplied before flowering or fruiting. Growth may be upright, spreading or trailing depending on age.
Important Information
Only fully ripe fruit is intended for consumption.
Do not eat the leaves, stems, flowers or green unripe fruit. Keep plant material away from children and pets that may chew it.
Seed-grown plants are naturally variable, and future fruit shape, markings, flavour and sweetness cannot be guaranteed.