Photo of Naranjilla foliage by acca

Photo by acca

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Naranjilla

Scientific Name: Solanum quitoense

Plant type

shrub, perennial, fruit / vegetable

size

  • H: 3'-8'
  • W: 3'-8'

planting zones

  • 9b-11

More Options

Naranjilla plant details

Naranjilla is a broadleaf evergreen perennial fruit / vegetable or shrub with green, purple and variegated foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by orange and yellow fruit. Features fuzzy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Naranjilla

Plant type: perennial fruit / vegetable or shrub
Plant family: solanaceae
Foliage: evergreen green, purple and variegated
Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 3 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, edible, spiky, tropical-looking, unique

GROWING CONDITIONS for Naranjilla

USDA Zones: 9b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This South American plant produces tasty orange fruit year-round in the south and from spring to fall in the North. Naranjillas grow rapidly in one season reaching 2-4' in height. With full sun and lots of fertilizer, you'll grown an abundance of round golf ball-sized fruit. When left to fully ripen on the plant, the fruit is a tangy sweet and can be eaten fresh or used to make a juice as they do in Latin America. The large spineless purple tinged leaves make quite a specimen for containers or summer garden plantings. At the end of the season, plants can be pruned hard and brought inside to allow the remaining fruit to ripen. Seeds can be saved for the next year. Start them inside in the spring and then bring the plants outside once the threat of frost is past.
Exotic fruit fans take note! This rare, perennial tomato relative bears round 2” to 3” orange-yellow fruit with green pulp and a unique delicious flavor. In the Andes, where it is the most popular fruit, the juice is called “Nectar of the Gods.” This striking, robust perennial grows 3’ to 5’ with huge (to 20”), fuzzy leaves decorated with purple veins, making an excellent foliage plant. It is frost tender, so protect or move indoors in Winter. Can bear year-round for 4 years.

Gardening facts about Naranjilla plant

How to Grow Naranjilla

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Fruit

    • orange
    • yellow
  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • green
    • purple
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Texture

    • fuzzy
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
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