Looking to try something new and exciting in your greenhouse or polytunnel this year? Why not grow Solanum muricatum, also known as the Melon Pear Plant. While it may look and taste like a melon, it actually belongs to the tomato family! Native to South America, this half-hardy perennial shrub can be grown as an annual in the UK. Solanum muricatum develops into a bushy shrub with evergreen, lance-shaped leaves, and produces purple and white flowers similar to those of aubergines. These flowers give way to egg-shaped fruits, about the size of a fist, that ripen from green-tan to yellow-orange, striped with purple. Harvest the fruits from late summer to autumn, and pick them once they are fully ripe. Beneath the tough skin lies sweet, soft yellow flesh, with a flavour often described as a mix between honeydew melon, pear, and a hint of cucumber aroma. Enjoy the ripe fruits raw as a dessert or preserve them for later. They can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks but should not be refrigerated, as their quality deteriorates quickly. The Melon Pear Plant requires a long growing season to ripen fully, so it’s best cultivated in a warm greenhouse or polytunnel, protected from frost, where it will be ready for harvest around September to October. Height and spread: 1m (39in) Important: Unripe melon pears are toxic and can cause stomach cramps and nausea due to their high solanine content, so ensure they are fully ripe before consumption. An exciting and exotic edible to grow in the greenhouse or polytunnel bearing egg-shaped fruits with a honeydew melon flavour!
Grow in a warm polytunnel or greenhouse protected from frost and grow in a similar way to a tomato, preferably in a greenhouse border otherwise in a large container of nutrient-rich compost. Support if necessary and feed with liquid tomato food once a week. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging. Fruit set is improved by growing more than one plant. Plants are perennial and can be overwintered in a frost free place if desired. The fruits should only be harvested and eaten once they have developed yellow/orange skin and distinct purple stripes. Unripe fruit is poisonous.
