How to Grow Pepino Melon
Solanum muricatum
Pepino melon is a perennial subshrub from the Andes producing sweet, mild melon-flavoured fruit. It needs full sun, well-drained soil, and warmth — treat it like an aubergine. Pinch out tips when young for a bushy plant. Water regularly during fruiting but allow soil to partly dry between waterings. In frost-prone climates, bring containers inside before winter or protect with fleece. Harvest when fruit turns pale yellow with purple streaks and gives slightly to gentle pressure.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring as growth resumes. Switch to a high-potash feed once flowers form to support fruit development.
Watch For
- Aphids
- Whitefly
- Spider mites in dry conditions
- Powdery mildew
Companions
Basil, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Chives
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun; minimum 6 hours direct sun
Requires full sun for fruit development. In cooler climates, a warm south-facing wall or greenhouse gives the best results. Insufficient sun leads to poor fruit set and bland flavour.
Watering
Regular watering; allow soil to partly dry between waterings
Water regularly during the growing season, especially during fruit swell. Allow the top few centimetres of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid waterlogging which causes root rot.
Fertilizing
Balanced feed in spring; high-potash when flowering
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring as growth resumes. Once flower buds form, switch to a high-potash feed every two weeks to support fruit development.
Pruning
Pinch tips when young; remove crossing branches in spring
Pinch out growing tips when plants are 20-30 cm tall to build a bushy framework. Prune lightly in spring to remove dead wood and improve airflow.
Spacing
60 cm apart in rows 90 cm apart
Space plants 60 cm apart in rows 90 cm apart. In containers, one plant per 30-40 litre pot. Generous spacing promotes airflow and reduces disease pressure.
Support
Stake or cage to support fruiting stems
Install a stake or cage at planting. Tie in stems as they grow — the plant becomes top-heavy when fruiting and can topple without support.
Growing Tips
Treat like an aubergine
Pepino melon has very similar growing requirements to aubergine — same warmth, light, and feeding regime. If you can grow aubergines, you can grow pepino.
Pinch for bushiness
When plants are 20-30 cm tall, pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching and more fruiting stems.
Stake or support
Stems become heavy with fruit. Provide a stake or cage early and tie in stems as they grow to prevent wind damage.
Harvest at the right moment
Fruit can look ripe before it is. The best test is gentle pressure — ripe fruit gives very slightly. Unripe fruit is bland; overripe fruit loses its delicate flavour.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 60 cm |
| Row spacing | 90 cm |
| Mature height | 100 cm |
| Mature spread | 90 cm |
Pepino melon is a spreading subshrub that benefits from generous spacing and support. In containers, a 30-40 litre pot per plant is recommended.
