Solanum peruvianum Origin: Peru Improvement status: Cultivated wild material Seeds per packet: ~30 Germination tested 10/2025: 63% Life cycle: Annual Another gem from Joseph Lofthouse, Landrace Seedsman, in high-altitude Paradise, Utah. Like all of Joseph's seeds, these are super resilient and contain a great diversity of genes. Solanum peruvianum is a wild tomato relative from South America (mainly northern Chile to central Peru). It is not a domesticated species, but it is collected and eaten from the wild in its native habitat. Joseph has been growing it for years and in his hands it may be well on the way to at least semi-domestication. He's been selecting for better flavor and larger fruits. But already he describes the flavor as "sweet" and "tomato-like", and better than a supermarket tomato. It has much more cold tolerance than typical tomatoes, but is far less productive at this point. Joseph also appreciates the plant for its "clusters of big flowers carried above the foliage producing a bold flower display which earns this tomato a place in a flower garden." He also notes that, "these are part of my promiscuous pollination project so there is a possibility that some seeds might have been pollinated by S. habrochaites, S. pennellii, or S. corneliomullerii." The plants are self-incompatible, so grow several plants together for seed production. They can be planted into the same hole or pot. Indeterminate. This is a wild species, so germination may be erratic. Very attractive to pollinators.We're honored and grateful to be the near-exclusive source of Joseph's amazing seeds — freeing him up to do more farming, plant breeding, pickling, yoga, and loving. We know you will enjoy planting these extraordinary seeds. Thanks Joseph! GROWING TIPS: Transplant 6 week old plants into the field just after the last spring frosts. Let sprawl or trellis. Vines about 4 feet long.
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