Solanum muricatum aka Pepino

Taxonomy

Solanum muricatum, also known as pepino dulce or sweet cucumber, is an evergreen shrub native to South America. It is cultivated for its sweet edible fruit, which resembles a melon in color and has a flavor that combines honeydew and cucumber. The fruit has a smooth creamy yellow skin with purplish stripes and is egg-shaped. Although the plant may look like a ground cover, it is actually a bushy perennial half-hardy shrub with evergreen leaves and purple and white flowers. Solanum muricatum is closely related to other nightshades like tomatoes and eggplants. It is commonly found in markets in Colombia, Kenya, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile, but its delicate nature makes it less suitable for long-distance travel. Attempts to cultivate and export the fruit have been made in New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, and Chile. This frost-tender species can be grown as a freestanding bush or trained to grow up a trellis, wall, or fence in a sunny position.

Common names

Pepino, Peruvian Pepino, Melon Pear

How to care for Pepino

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Pepino is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Pepino should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Pepino loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Pepino prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Pepino to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Pepino. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Region of origin

Pepino’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia