How to Grow Jungle Jewel
Wikimedia Commons
Jungle Jewel
Solanum pseudocapsicum
shrubJungle Jewel is an ornamental houseplant featuring compact, bushy growth with glossy dark green foliage and vibrant orange-red berries that persist for months. It's prized for its dramatic fruit display and manageable indoor size, making it a popular decorative plant during fall and winter months.
When should you plant Jungle Jewel in your zone?
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Example Jungle Jewel timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Jungle Jewel
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 Jungle Jewel
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jungle Jewel dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11; grown as a tender houseplant elsewhere
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green shoots emerge with first true leaves developing; delicate appearance
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist; provide bright, indirect light; maintain humidity with a humidity dome if needed
Vegetative
4-8 weeksBushy growth with multiple stems developing; dark green glossy leaves multiply; plant becomes fuller and more compact
Pinch back stem tips to encourage branching; fertilize bi-weekly with balanced fertilizer; maintain bright indirect light and warm temperatures
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear along stems and branch tips; flowers are delicate and inconspicuous
Ensure consistent watering and humidity; provide bright light to support pollination; hand-pollinate with a soft brush if growing indoors with no pollinators
Fruiting
6-8 weeksTiny green berries form where flowers were; gradually enlarge and change color from green to yellow-orange to bright red-orange
Maintain consistent watering; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage at expense of fruit color; provide cool nighttime temperatures (50-60°F) to deepen color
Mature Display
1-3 monthsFully colored bright orange-red berries cover the plant; berries persist ornamentally for extended periods
Water moderately; avoid direct hot sun to prevent berry drop; maintain moderate temperatures; enjoy the display for 1-3 months; remove spent berries gradually as they drop
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity through misting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate affected plant
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil; improve air circulation
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; increase air circulation
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Scrape off manually; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Uses
Holiday Decoration
HouseholdJungle Jewel plants with their vibrant orange-red berries are popular as living tabletop decorations during fall and winter holiday seasons. The long-lasting fruit display makes them ideal for festive home décor. [source]
Houseplant Display
CraftThe compact, naturally bushy form and dramatic berry display make Jungle Jewel an attractive focal point for indoor gardens, shelves, and windowsill collections. It brings color and interest to interior spaces. [source]
Bird Attraction
WildlifeIn outdoor or semi-outdoor settings, the berries attract birds and pollinators. However, note that the berries are toxic to humans. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalWhile the berries are toxic when ingested, related species in the Solanum genus have been used in traditional medicine, though modern use is not recommended due to toxicity. Historical preparations were made from plant extracts, but contemporary herbalists avoid this plant. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Berries are ornamental and should not be eaten; they are toxic. Enjoy the berries while still on the plant. Berries naturally drop as they age; remove fallen berries and spent fruit to encourage plant longevity. Seeds can be harvested from fully mature berries for propagation by collecting, cleaning, and drying them thoroughly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Jungle Jewel is also called Jerusalem Cherry, despite having no connection to either Jerusalem or true cherries—the common name may derive from its bright berry appearance resembling cherries.
- 🌱 The berries are highly toxic to humans and pets, containing alkaloids similar to those in nightshade plants; they should never be eaten despite their attractive appearance.
- 🌱 The vibrant color shift from green to yellow to orange-red is a natural ripening process that can be intensified by providing cool nighttime temperatures and bright light.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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