How to Grow Kangaroo Apple
Solanum laciniatum
Kangaroo Apple is a fast-growing Australian shrub producing purple flowers in summer followed by egg-shaped fruits that ripen yellow-orange. Not frost hardy — overwinter in a frost-free greenhouse or bring containers indoors. Plant in full sun, in moist but well-drained soil. Feed regularly during the growing season. Fruits are edible only when fully ripe; unripe green fruits are toxic.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season (spring to late summer). Stop feeding in autumn and winter.
Watch For
- Frost damage (not frost hardy)
- Aphids on new growth
- Whitefly under glass
- Red spider mite in dry conditions
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, sheltered position
Requires full sun for best flowering and fruiting. Choose a warm, sheltered spot protected from cold winds. In cooler areas, grow against a south-facing wall or in a conservatory.
Watering
Regular watering in growing season; reduce in winter
Water regularly and deeply during spring and summer — the plant is not drought-tolerant. Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Reduce watering significantly in winter to barely moist.
Fertilizing
Balanced liquid feed every 2-4 weeks spring to summer
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the active growing season. High nutrient demand due to rapid growth. Stop feeding entirely from autumn through winter.
Pruning
Pinch tips in spring; cut back hard before overwintering
Pinch out growing tips in late spring to encourage bushy growth. Before moving indoors for winter, cut back the canopy by up to two-thirds. Remove dead or damaged wood when growth resumes in spring.
