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The Tree Tomato

by Gene Joyner, Extension Agent I
IFAS Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

The tree tomato Cyphomandra betacea, is an unusual large shrub native to Peru and is grown by some hobbyists here in South Florida. It is more happy, though, at higher elevations than sea level and although sometimes it will grow well, it doesn't form large quantities of fruit here in Florida.

The trees grow ten to twelve feet in height and may be single-or multiple-stemmed depending on how they are trained. The large, somewhat oval leaves may be six to twelve inches long, and are softly pubescent. The small pinkish fragrant flowers are produced in the spring and early summer and the fruits mature during the fall and following winter.

Mature fruits are about the size of a normal chicken egg and also about the same shape. Fruits, at maturity, can be orange, red or purple, depending on the variety. Internally, they somewhat resemble a tomato. Like tomatoes, they can be be eaten as a vegetable and used in sauces, soups or other ways. The most popular way of consuming the tree tomato is as a conserve. It can be made into jams and jellies also, but unlike regular tomatoes, when being cooked the seeds and skin of the tree tomato should be removed.

Trees are easily grown from seed and many people start trees from fruits purchased in local markets. Selected varieties can be grown from cuttings, normally trees grow for about ten years before having to be replaced. The fruits, although they somewhat resemble tomatoes, do not have a tomato taste, but are pleasant for most people.

There are very few pests or diseases that bother tree tomatoes; however, during the spring dry season occasionally spider mites may cause leaf loss. Avoid planting tree tomatoes in poorly drained locations since they can be easily killed by even a few days of flooding. Nematodes may also be a problem in the more sandy soils of Florida and some people grow this plant in a large container to avoid nematode problems. Tree tomatoes are not extremely cold-hardy and are injured by frost or freeze, and should be protected in the landscape. Due to their large leaves, they require frequent irrigation and like to be heavily mulched in the garden to help slow water loss.

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