The Pepino forms a low-lying, attractive evergreen shrub, perfect for filling small garden spaces and producing delightful melon-flavoured fruit. Pepino plants yield abundant crops of juicy fruits ripening to a purple-tinged orange, pleasing both to the eye and the palate. The egg-shaped fruits typically range between 5-10cm in size, making them an ideal choice for a healthy snack. Fruits have a succulent, sweet flesh closely resembling other melons in taste, particularly Honeydew or Rockmelon, offering a delightful refreshment on hot days and being well-suited to juicing. Pepino should be picked fully ripe and stored at room temperature where they will last for multiple weeks, they can also be bottled, frozen or made into preserves. An excellent tropical or temperate option for compact spaces, producing copious amounts of melon-tasting fruits as a perennial but short-lived producer. Pepino are a member of the Solanaceae family together with the Tamarillo, Cocona, Naranjilla and Eggplant, bearing many features similar to the latter. Plants features attractive, elongated dark green leaves and white & purple flowers, adding to its evergreen appeal throughout the year. Growing up to 1m tall, maintenance primarily involves managing its horizontal sprawl rather than its height. Owing to its sprawling, low-lying form, the Pepino is well-suited to forming a productive ground cover. Pepino thrive in full sun or partial shade commonly spreading beneath other trees to provide green coverage. Due to their small size they also excel in pots. Native to the subtropical-temperate Andes, Pepinos prefer consistent mild temperatures and ample rainfall, though they can tolerate light frosts and regrow from damage. Excellent drainage and full sun are essential for optimal production, growth, and disease resistance, while high fertility is not necessary. Pepinos thrive in both subtropical and temperate climates, flourishing from Melbourne to Brisbane. A versatile addition to any garden with delicious fruits, the Pepino requires minimal space yet yields a bountiful harvest.
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