Pepino, Solanum muricatum, also known as Pepino Dulce and Melon Pear is a small, evergreen, fruit bearing plant. It is a native of South America and closely related to the tomato, Solanum lycopersicum. A perennial plant that commonly cultivated as an annual for its fruit. It grows in a spreading out, in different directions, habit and makes an excellent ground-cover.

Leaves are lustrous green sparsely covered with very small hairs. In appearance the Pepino is much like a potato plant, but the leaves could take many forms; divided into leaflets, simple and smooth or lobed. Flowers are many and small, variable in color from blue, violet-purple to white noted with purple. The flowers become fruit on young 4 to 6 months to 1year old plants.

Pepino fruit

The satin-like fruit is patterned with purple stripes and varying in color from golden-yellow to apricot. The pale yellowish-green flesh has a juicy melon-like texture. It is a tasteful delicately flavored fruit similar to a honeydew melon or rock melon. Fruit is generally round to egg-shaped, about 5 to 10cm long, with some growing up to 15cm.

Fruit is consumed fresh. The peel can be also eaten if wanted. The plants won’t set fruit until the night temperatures are above 18ºC. Pepinos tend to fruit better when grown over a trellis. While Pepinos are relatively hardy plants the foliage is susceptible to damage by light to moderate frosts but quickly recoup with warmer weather.

Solanum muricatum is suited best to productive moist soils in full sun and sheltered sites. It tolerates light frosts but perform best in a warm climate with temperatures in general above 5ºC. The growth of the Solanum muricatum rarely reaches above one meter in height and one meter cross-ways.

Pepino Propagation Methods

Plant propagation is easy from cuttings and layering. Plants need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Solanum muricatum is a member of the family muricatum the genus Solanum.

Pepino, Pepino Dulce, Solanum muricatum

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