As a tropical plant, the dwarf tamarillo is not frost hardy. In summer it produces bright orange and very aromatic fruits. Overwintering is neither complicated nor difficult, so this plant is also suitable for beginners.
How do I overwinter a dwarf tamarillo?
To overwinter the dwarf tamarillo successfully, there are two methods: Warm overwintering at 15 to 20 °C and a bright location; or cold overwintering at 5 to 10 °C in a dark location. When the winter is warm, the leaves are retained; when the winter is cold, they shed their leaves.
You can alternatively overwinter the dwarf tamarillo warm or cold. However, during the cold winter it loses its leaves, but hardly needs to be watered. In addition, your dwarf tamarillo should then be kept dark. If you choose warm overwintering, the plant will stay green but need more water and light. To save space in the winter quarters, you can cut back the dwarf tamarillo in the fall.
The most important things in brief:
- not hardy
- possibly shorten the trunk in autumn
- warm overwintering: bright, at approx. 15 °C to 20 °C, no leaf loss
- cold wintering: dark, at approx. 5 °C to 10 °C, plant loses the leaves
Tip
If you overwinter your dwarf tamarillo in a warm place, then it won't lose its leaves and needs more water.
