Cherokee Purple Tomato
Best heirloom choice for home gardeners seeking rich, complex tomato flavor.
Discover the rich history and exceptional taste of the heirloom Cherokee Purple Tomato. This variety yields large, beefsteak-style fruits with a unique mauve-purple skin and green shoulders, revealing deep red flesh. Cherished for over a century, it offers an outstanding flavor and satisfying texture, perfect for salads, sandwiches, and sauces. As an indeterminate variety, it produces fruit throughout an extended season, requiring staking or trellising. Ideal for home gardens, this tomato is a standout for its complex, deep taste and historical significance.
$4.15
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3136
/ 5867
#3136 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-61%
Below average
Days to Maturity
72
/ days
Who it's for
- Gourmet cooks seeking complex, smoky heirloom flavor profiles
- Home gardeners wanting visually stunning tomatoes for gourmet presentations
- Organic growers prioritizing reliable germination and sustainable seed sources
Who should skip it
- Beginners needing disease-resistant varieties for low-maintenance gardening
- Gardeners lacking the space or time for heavy staking
- Northern growers with short, cool summer seasons
Performance breakdown
Flavor Complexity
Deep, smoky profile sets the gold standard for heirloom tomato taste.
Harvest Duration
Indeterminate growth habit ensures a steady supply throughout the entire season.
Culinary Versatility
Perfectly balanced texture excels in everything from fresh salads to sauces.
Cultivation Difficulty
Requires consistent staking and attention to thrive as an indeterminate variety.
Yield Potential
Produces substantial, heavy beefsteak fruits that reward patient, attentive gardeners.
Germination Reliability
High-quality organic seeds offer consistent performance under optimal temperature conditions.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
72 days
Fruit Size
12-16 oz
Type
Indeterminate
Seeding Depth
1/8-1/4"
Optimal Germination Temp
75-85°F
Recommended pH Range
6.0-6.8
Storage Temp
55° - 70°F
Organic
Yes
Features
- Heirloom variety with rich history
- Large beefsteak fruit size
- Outstanding flavor and texture
- Unique mauve-purple skin color
- Indeterminate growth habit
- Extended harvest period
- Prized for complex, deep taste
- Suitable for greenhouse cultivation
What customers say
Gardeners overwhelmingly value the Cherokee Purple Tomato for its exceptional, complex flavor, frequently calling it the standard for heirloom taste. Reviewers consistently describe the fruit as smoky, sweet, and rich, noting high productivity from large, beautiful tomatoes. High Mowing's organic seeds earn praise for reliable germination. While the superior taste justifies the effort, users acknowledge this variety demands diligent care. The heavy fruit load requires robust staking, and the plants show susceptibility to common diseases. Gardeners in shorter seasons sometimes find ripening is delayed. Despite these cultivation challenges, the consensus confirms this is a high reward crop for dedicated home growers.
Know before you buy
Indeterminate means the plant will continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit throughout the entire season until the first frost. Because of this, you will need to provide sturdy staking or a trellis to support the vines as they grow.
You can expect to harvest your first Cherokee Purple tomatoes approximately 72 days after transplanting. Since they are indeterminate, you will enjoy a steady supply of fruit over an extended period rather than one single harvest.
Yes, Cherokee Purple tomatoes are well-suited for greenhouse cultivation. Ensure your greenhouse provides full sun exposure and maintains the appropriate temperature range for optimal growth.
These seeds thrive in soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. For the best results, plant them at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch and ensure the soil temperature remains between 75°F and 85°F during germination.
Cherokee Purple is a beefsteak-style tomato, meaning it produces large, heavy fruits. You can expect each tomato to weigh between 12 and 16 ounces.
Yes, these are certified organic seeds. They are produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, making them a great choice for organic home gardens.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.