Solanum betaceum (F)

Other common names

tree tomato

Synonyms

Cyphomandra crassifolia
Cyphomandra crassicaulis
Cyphomandra betacea

Trees Shrubs

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A fast-growing, tender, woody plant with large evergreen leaves. Often grown for the orange and red, oval shaped, edible fruits that ripen in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Bushy
Genus: Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status: Correct
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: This genus produces fruit, but not necessarily edible fruit
Plant Range: South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Can be planted in a glasshouse. Also suitable for containers, placing outside during summer and brought under glass during colder months. Grow in full sun. If grown from seed, will start fruiting in second or third year. See tomato cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Edible fruit
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

There is no need for regular pruning. If it is necessary to reduce the size, pruning can be done in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews