How to Grow Alexander's White
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Alexander's White
Solanum lycopersicum 'Alexander's White'
vegetableAlexander's White is a rare heirloom tomato variety that produces medium-sized, pale white to cream-colored fruits with a unique, delicate flavor profile. The plant is indeterminate, meaning it grows as a tall vine throughout the season, requiring staking or support. This heritage variety is prized by gardeners for its novelty appearance and distinctive sweet, mild taste that sets it apart from red tomatoes.
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Example Alexander's White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Alexander's White
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Alexander's White
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Alexander's White dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9, with season extension possible in zones 3-4
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny sprouts with cotyledons (seed leaves) appear 5-10 days after planting. First true leaves emerge within 1-2 weeks.
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily under grow lights. Keep soil temperature around 70-75°F.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksYoung plants develop multiple sets of true leaves and a sturdy main stem. Transplants grow 6-8 inches tall before moving to garden.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant outdoors after last frost danger passes when soil temperature reaches 60°F.
Growth & Flowering
4-6 weeksPlants grow vigorously, producing new leaves and branches. First flower clusters appear, typically yellow flowers on indeterminate varieties.
Install sturdy stakes or cages immediately. Pinch off lower leaves once flowering begins to improve air circulation. Apply mulch around base to retain moisture. Begin consistent fertilizing every 2-3 weeks.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksSmall green fruits develop at flower sites. Fruits gradually enlarge and change color from green to pale cream or white as they mature.
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Continue pruning lower foliage. Prune excessive suckers to direct energy to fruit production.
Harvest
3-6 weeks or until frostFruits reach full pale white or cream color, yielding slightly to gentle pressure. Flavor develops fully at this stage.
Harvest when fruits are uniformly colored and slightly soft. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Continue watering and fertilizing for extended harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning or late evening. Introduce parasitic wasps. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray if populations become heavy.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Prune lower leaves to improve air circulation. Remove infected foliage promptly. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Apply copper fungicide if needed.
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Remove affected leaves. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply fungicide in severe cases.
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings.
Uses
Fresh Slicing & Salads
CulinaryAlexander's White produces medium fruits ideal for slicing in salads, sandwiches, and fresh dishes. The mild, delicate flavor and pale appearance offer a unique visual presentation and subtle taste that complements other salad ingredients without overwhelming them. [source]
Gazpacho & Cold Soups
CulinaryThe pale color and distinctive subtle flavor make Alexander's White particularly suitable for elegant cold soups and gazpacho where the natural tomato taste should be delicate and nuanced rather than bold. [source]
Ornamental Garden Feature
HouseholdThe pale, unusual fruit color makes this variety a striking ornamental addition to edible gardens. The cream-colored tomatoes create visual interest and serve as a conversation piece in landscape design. [source]
Preserving & Canning
CulinaryAlexander's White can be preserved through canning, freezing, or drying, though the pale color is better showcased in fresh preparations. Use in tomato sauces where the subtle flavor can be enhanced with complementary herbs. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a true heirloom variety, Alexander's White can be reliably seed-saved for future plantings. Ferment the seeds in water for 2-3 days, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely before storage for viable seeds year after year. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest Alexander's White tomatoes when they have developed their full pale cream or white color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Unlike red varieties, the color change is subtle, so feel for ripeness. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. For best flavor, harvest in the morning after the plant has dried. The plant will continue producing until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 White and pale-colored tomatoes are naturally lower in lycopene (the red pigment) but contain different beneficial antioxidants, offering nutritional diversity compared to standard red varieties.
- 🌱 Alexander's White is part of a small category of white tomato heirlooms that were particularly popular in Eastern European and Russian heirloom collections during the 20th century.
- 🌱 The pale color develops as the tomato ripens due to the absence of anthocyanin and lycopene pigments, making proper ripeness assessment more challenging than with red varieties—ripeness must be determined by feel and slight color shift rather than dramatic color change.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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