Tomato - Cherokee Purple

Solanum lycopersicum

Our Cherokee Purple tomato seeds allow growers to cultivate a historically-rich tomato variant, originally cultivated by the Cherokee people in North America.

These seeds develop into medium to large tomatoes with a unique dusky purple to dark rose hue. Their flavour is a noteworthy combination of sweet and smoky with a hint of tartness, setting them apart from mainstream tomato varieties.

In Australia, Cherokee Purple tomatoes fare well across different regions. While they excel in areas with consistent warmth and sunlight, they are also adaptable to less-than-ideal conditions. Notably, these tomatoes have shown resilience to some prevalent pests and diseases, ensuring a robust yield.

In the kitchen, Cherokee Purple tomatoes shine with their distinct taste. They’re perfect for salads, sandwiches, and even sauces, adding both depth of flavour and colour. Nutritionally, they provide valuable amounts of vitamins A and C, alongside other essential nutrients.

For a successful harvest, plant these seeds in a mix of fertile, well-draining soil. They thrive best in areas receiving 6-8 hours of daily sunlight. Given their size when mature, staking or caging might be necessary for support. Regular watering helps, but it's crucial to keep the soil moist without making it soggy.

35 heirloom seeds

Sowing Information

Plant Type: Annual
Sow When: Temperate: August - October
                   Subtropical: August - October
                   Tropical: May - July
Sow Where: Direct or Trays
Sow Depth: 6mm
Germination: 5-10 days 
Position: Full Sun
Plant Spacing: 50cm
Row Spacing: 75cm
Plant Height: 150cm
Harvest: 70-100 days

The image below will help you determine which climate zone you are in, and allow you to choose the best varieties for your area.

Martyman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons