How to Grow Inca Orange
Wikimedia Commons
Inca Orange
Solanum quitoense
fruitInca Orange, also known as naranjilla or lulo, is a tropical fruit plant native to the Andes mountains of South America. It produces small, round, orange-red fruits with a tart, pineapple-like flavor and juicy interior studded with small seeds. The plant grows as a woody shrub and thrives in cool, high-altitude tropical climates.
When should you plant Inca Orange in your zone?
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Example Inca Orange timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Inca Orange
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Inca Orange
Around Oct 14≈ 180 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Inca Orange dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10b-11; best in elevations between 4,000-8,000 feet in tropical regions
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Get my Inca Orange timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
4-6 weeksSmall plant with 2-4 true leaves, tender stems, pale green foliage
Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture. Keep in bright, indirect light. Protect from direct sun and temperature fluctuations.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 monthsPlant develops woody stems with larger, velvety green leaves; reaches 3-4 feet tall
Provide partial shade, especially in afternoon. Begin light fertilization with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Support with stakes if needed.
Flowering
4-6 weeksSmall white or pale purple flowers appear in leaf axils; flowers are self-fertile
Maintain consistent watering and avoid nutrient deficiencies. Increase phosphorus slightly to support flower production. Provide gentle air circulation.
Fruit Development
8-12 weeksGreen fruits form and gradually enlarge, turning orange-red as they mature over 60-90 days
Ensure consistent watering as fruit develops; fluctuating moisture causes cracking. Thin fruit to 1-2 per cluster for larger fruits. Continue regular feeding.
Harvest
Ongoing throughout seasonFruits reach 1-2 inches diameter, develop deep orange-red color with slight give when squeezed
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Plant can produce fruit year-round in ideal conditions.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil; encourage natural predators
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Inspect regularly, remove with alcohol-soaked cloth, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Remove fallen fruit promptly, use fruit fly traps, maintain sanitation
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Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, improve air circulation, use well-draining soil
Uses
Fresh juice and beverages
CulinaryInca Orange fruits are prized for their tart, tropical juice used in smoothies, cocktails, and traditional Andean beverages. The juice is rich in vitamin C and has a distinctive pineapple-guava flavor. [source]
Desserts and preserves
CulinaryThe fruit makes excellent jams, jellies, sauces, and dessert fillings due to its natural acidity and flavor complexity. It pairs well with chocolate and vanilla-based treats. [source]
Traditional Andean remedy
MedicinalIn Peruvian and Colombian traditional medicine, Inca Orange is consumed for digestive support and as a source of antioxidants and vitamin C for immune health. [source]
Exotic fruit market
CulinaryInca Orange is a premium specialty fruit in international markets, particularly valued in South America, Europe, and among specialty grocers for its unique flavor and rarity. [source]
Natural dye source
HouseholdThe orange-red fruits can be used to create natural plant-based dyes for textiles, traditionally practiced in Andean communities. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when they turn deep orange-red and yield slightly to gentle pressure; harvest every 2-3 days during peak production. Fruits do not ripen off the plant, so wait for full color development. Store in cool conditions; ripe fruits last 1-2 weeks refrigerated.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Inca Orange is native to cloud forests in the Andes and prefers the cool, misty conditions of high altitudes, making it one of the few tropical fruits that actually dislikes intense heat.
- 🌱 The plant produces fruit continuously in ideal conditions, with successive flushes of flowers and fruits over many months, sometimes year-round in the tropics.
- 🌱 In its native Ecuador and Peru, the fruit is called 'naranjilla' (little orange) or 'lulo,' and has been cultivated for centuries; it remains virtually unknown in most of North America despite its delicious flavor and ornamental appeal.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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