Lychee Tomato/Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium) - Seeds

The spiky beauty with the sweet secret

Don't be put off by the spikes! The Litchi Tomato (also known in France as Morelle de Balbis) is an absolute rarity for the garden. It looks like a wild cross between a tomato, an eggplant, and a cactus, but it yields countless bright red, sweet and fruity berries.

Scope of delivery: 15 seeds each

Growth & Appearance

• Lifespan: Usually cultivated as an annual in our climate (can theoretically be overwintered frost-free).

• Growth height: Reaches an impressive 100 to 150 cm.

• Habit: Very sprawling and robust. The deeply lobed leaves resemble arugula. Caution: The entire plant (stems, leaves, and fruit husks) is densely covered with sharp spines!

• Flower & Fruit: From June until frost, beautiful, large, white to light blue star-shaped flowers appear. From these, cherry-sized, bright red fruits develop in spiky husks.

Origin Its original home is in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay), where it grows wild on barren soils. In the 19th century, it was brought to Europe by botanists.

Ingredients As with all nightshade plants, the green plant parts and unripe fruits contain the toxic alkaloid solanine. However, once the fruits are deep red and soft, they are completely non-toxic and boast plenty of Vitamin C and natural fruit sweetness.

Use

• In the kitchen: A great snack fruit! The ripe, red fruits do not taste like savory tomatoes, but rather sweet-sour and fruity – a mix of cherry, lychee, and a hint of tomato. Perfect for direct snacking (pick carefully!), for exotic jams, or fruit salads.

• As a cash crop: Potato farmers love it! It is often used as a "trap crop" against potato nematodes (small roundworms in the soil). The pests hatch but cannot reproduce on the roots of the Litchi Tomato and die.

Historical In South America, the plant was already valued and collected by indigenous peoples. In the 19th century, it was briefly very popular in Europe, but then fell into oblivion before being rediscovered in recent years by adventurous amateur gardeners and rarity collectors.

Curious facts Due to its massive thorns, the Litchi Tomato was deliberately planted in some countries as an absolutely impenetrable, living hedge to keep stray dogs, wild animals, or unwanted bipeds off properties. A real "garden terror" with a sweet core!

Location, care & other important things

• Location: Sunny and warm.

• Soil: Relatively undemanding, but thrives best in loose, nutrient-rich soil.

• Care & Robustness: A huge plus: Unlike normal tomatoes, the Litchi Tomato is extremely resistant to the feared late blight (Phytophthora infestans)! It does not need to be pruned, but due to its weight, it often needs a strong stake for support. Tip: Always wear thick gardening gloves when planting and harvesting!

Sowing Instructions: Litchi Tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium)

Cultivation is uncomplicated and proceeds exactly as you are used to with normal tomatoes.

When to sow?

• Pre-cultivation (indoors): From mid-February to early April.

How to sow?

• Sowing depth: Place the seeds shallowly, about 0.5 cm deep, in seed compost and press lightly.

• Germination conditions: Keep the soil evenly moist (not wet!). Place the sowing containers in a bright and warm spot. For optimal germination, temperatures between 20 and 25 °C are ideal.

• Germination time: Usually, the first spiky little seedlings appear after 10 to 20 days. As soon as they form the first true, jagged leaves, they can be pricked out into their own, slightly larger pots.

Planting out & Location

• Outdoors: Only after the Ice Saints (mid-May), when there is absolutely no longer any danger of frost.

• Planting distance: Give the plants enough space so that they can grow bushy. A distance of at least 60 to 80 cm is recommended.