Bacca di Gerusalemme

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Solanum

Species

pseudocapsicum

Description

Solanum pseudocapsicum is a small, heat-loving shrub, but its roots are also resistant to relatively low temperatures. It therefore loses its leaves below 10 °C but can recover them in the following season. Appreciated for its fine white flowers but especially for its very bright round orange berries that grace balconies throughout the summer. It has a compact, well-trimmed foliage with glossy green leaves and is also compact, making it ideal for windowsills or planters, either alone or in arrangements with other plants. Avoid ingesting the berries as they are poisonous.

Curiosities and special features

Although belonging to the same botanical genus as the tomato plant(Solanum lycopersicum), the berries of the pseudocapsicum species are not edible due to the presence of the alkaloid solanocapsin.

Origin and distribution

Botanical species native to the humid tropical biome of the range extending from Bolivia to Brazil and South America.

Leaf

The leaves have a lanceolate lamina with slightly wavy edges.

Leaf colour

The leaves are of a uniform, glossy green shade.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.4 m, ideal for balconies and terraces as a single specimen as well as in homogeneous compositions or with other species.

Lifespan

Evergreen perennial plant. Loses its leaves below 10°C but can recover them in the following season.

Where to plant

Due to its size and developed bearing, it is suitable for adding originality to balconies, flower boxes.

Stem

It has herbaceous, green and glabrous stems; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small to medium-sized form, with a dialipetal corolla and solid-coloured petals. It flowers from early summer to late summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

It is characterised by compact growth perfect for planters and pots.

Plant habit

It has a globular, bushy habitus.

Branching

It develops abundant branching.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic substrate pH, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.0.

Sun exposure

For proper vegetative growth and lush flowering followed by abundant production of ornamental berries, ensure full sun exposure.

Ideal climate and temperature

Plant suitable for a warm and dry climate. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 26 °C.

Use

Ornamental berries in warm, bright colours give Solanum pseudocapsicum wide interest in:
Ornamental

Hardiness

Under the right cultivation conditions, it expresses medium-high rusticity.

Soil

Use a new, specific, high-quality substrate containing peat, perlite and clay granules.

Difficulty

It is fairly easy to grow, requiring a low level of maintenance.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation indications
Balanced fertilisation Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and dry climate

Propagation

Multiplication is by seed.

Watering

Irrigate by supplying low salinity water directly to the substrate, allowing it to dry only slightly between one supply and the next. During fruit ripening, take care to avoid water stress leading to yellowing of the vegetation and leaf fall. Also prevent over-watering during overwintering at low temperatures (below 10°C) to avoid root rot. Water moderately until the minimum temperatures in spring do not exceed 12°C.

Fertilising

At vegetative regrowth, from mid/late spring and during the summer period, add a specific, balanced liquid fertiliser to the substrate, i.e. dilute in the irrigation water. Do not exceed in dose and frequency.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Toxic.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Toxicity for humans

Toxic.

Tip

When the cold weather arrives below 10 °C, the plants start to shed their leaves. The roots, however, are very resistant to temperatures as low as -6 °C. The plant then regrows slowly in mid-spring to rebuild the foliage and then the flowers the beautiful berries. Water moderately until the minimum temperatures in spring do not exceed 12 degrees.