Naranjilla Lulo Seeds - Rare Tropical Fruit - Solanum Quitoense

Naranjilla is considered a rare fruit tree in this country, and it’s true that none of your neighbors are likely to be planting naranjilla seeds. However, the plant, with its round, juicy fruit resembling oranges, is a common sight south of the border.

The entire plant has thorns and hairs, and the fruit is orange, round, and has a green acidic pulp with numerous seeds. The fruit is versatile and can be made into juices, drinks, preserves, or pies.

Growing Naranjilla from Seed

Naranjilla is an ornamental plant with edible fruit that grows up to 8 feet high and can be grown in containers. Its stalks become woody as they age and some have spines, but most cultivated plants do not.

Naranjilla production is year round, with higher yield during summer months. Plants can be propagated by seeds and produce for 3-4 years, starting at 6-12 months of age.
Like tomatoes, naranjilla is very subject to root knot, nematode, and other soil problems, and this causes a gradual decline. You can escape this problem by growing the plants in large containers, with an enriched potting medium.
For best results, plant in well-draining areas. Avoid flooding plants as they can drown easily. If planting near salt water, protect from direct spray with other salt-tolerant plants to avoid leaf burns. 

Plant your cleaned, treated seeds in well-drained, sandy soil. Containers work well, and you can bring them indoors if the weather dips. You can also consider planting naranjilla outdoors if you live in a warm region. Cover the top of the soil with a thin layer of grit and kept the soil moist.

How soon can you expect naranjilla seed germination? It all depends. Sometimes growing naranjilla from seeds requires patience. Those propagating naranjilla seed may have to wait four to six weeks for the seeds to sprout, and sometimes much longer.

If you are planting naranjilla seeds in containers, sow more than one per pot to ensure that at least one of them sprouts. If you get several sprouts per pot, thin to leave only the strongest seedlings. In areas inland, where hard freezes or frosts occur, some damage will be gotten on these plants if you have temperatures below 32°F. Always, save seeds during the winter months in case the plant is killed by unusually cold events. By doing so you can restart them from seed in the spring.