Tomato Cherokee Purple Seed
Best heirloom choice for gardeners seeking rich, complex tomato flavors.
Discover the unique Cherokee Purple heirloom tomato, a variety steeped in history and renowned for its exceptional flavor. This plant yields medium-large, deep oblong fruits with a distinctive dusky-rose hue, both inside and out. Its sweet, complex, and slightly smoky taste makes it perfect for slicing and fresh eating. Recognized by Slow Foods USA's Ark of Taste, growing these seeds helps preserve a cherished heritage variety for future generations. Experience the rich taste and fascinating story of this beloved heirloom.
$4.70
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 6090
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-56%
Below average
Maturation Days
72
/ Days
Who it's for
- Gourmet home cooks seeking complex, rich heirloom flavor
- Gardeners wanting unique, visually striking produce for culinary displays
- Dedicated growers looking for continuous harvests until the first frost
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions with short, cool growing seasons
- Beginners needing disease-resistant plants with low-maintenance care
- Commercial growers requiring uniform fruit size and shape
Performance breakdown
Flavor Complexity
Deep, smoky sweetness sets the gold standard for heirloom tomato taste.
Heritage Significance
Ark of Taste recognition ensures you are preserving vital agricultural history.
Growth Reliability
Standard germination window makes this a dependable choice for home gardeners.
Culinary Versatility
Perfectly sized for slicing, salads, and elevating fresh summer dishes.
Visual Appeal
Distinctive dusky-rose hue provides a striking aesthetic in any garden.
Cultivation Ease
Requires consistent warmth and full sun to reach peak harvest potential.
Key Specs
Maturation Days
72 Days
Soil Temperature
75-80°F
Seeding Depth
0.25-0.5"
Germination Days
7-14 Days
Spacing in Row
12-36"
Spacing Between Rows
3-5'
Planting Method
Transplant
Germination Lighting
Cover Seed
Features
- Heirloom variety with unique dusky-rose color
- Sweet, complex, and smoky flavor profile
- Excellent for fresh eating and slicing
- Part of Ark of Taste heritage preservation
- Medium-large, deep oblong fruit shape
- RAW / UNTREATED seed style
- Annual vegetable plant
- Requires full sun exposure
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Harris Seeds Cherokee Purple Tomato for its superior fruit quality and reliable seed performance. Reviewers consistently highlight the deep, complex, smoky sweet flavor, noting it surpasses commercial varieties. Satisfaction stems from the seeds producing true to type, large tomatoes with the distinctive dusky purple pink coloration. While heirloom care is required, gardeners agree the effort yields a superior harvest. The high viability of the seeds ensures a successful start, cementing this variety's status as a premium choice. The exceptional flavor profile provides high perceived value, making this a highly recommended purchase for authentic heirloom taste.
Know before you buy
No, these are raw, untreated seeds, making them an excellent choice for organic gardening practices.
You can expect the Cherokee Purple to reach maturity in approximately 72 days after transplanting.
No, this variety is best started indoors and then transplanted into the garden once the soil has warmed to 75-80°F.
Space your plants 12 to 36 inches apart within the row, with 3 to 5 feet between rows to ensure proper airflow and growth.
Cherokee Purple is prized for a sweet, complex, and slightly smoky flavor that is distinct from standard supermarket tomatoes.
These plants require full sun exposure to produce their best fruit and need moderate, consistent watering throughout the growing season.
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