Protocols were optimized for the in vitro propagation and plant regeneration of lulo or naranjilla. Aeration of culture containers is a key parameter. True-to-type plants are profusely regenerated through direct organogenesis from leaf petioles. These protocols are suitable for the in vitro mass propagation of elite clones selected by farmers in the field and for the development of an Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol. In vitro propagated plants showed earlier flowering and increased fruit productivity in comparison with the corresponding seed derived plants grown in resource farmers' fields.