How to Grow Arabian Night
Arabian Night
Solanum lycopersicum 'Arabian Night'
vegetableArabian Night is a heirloom indeterminate tomato variety prized for its exceptionally dark, deep purple-black fruit with rich, complex flavor. The plants are vigorous growers that produce medium-sized fruits (2-3 oz) throughout the season, making them popular with gardeners seeking distinctive color and gourmet taste.
When should you plant Arabian Night in your zone?
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Example Arabian Night timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Arabian Night
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 Arabian Night
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Arabian Night dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 5-9, but can be grown in cooler zones with extended season and protection
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge, developing first true leaves within 1-2 weeks
Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily under grow lights. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 70-75°F temperature.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops sturdy stems and numerous leaves. Plant grows 6-12 inches tall before being hardened off for transplanting
Gradually increase light intensity and air circulation. Thin seedlings or pot up individually when 2-3 true leaves appear. Begin fertilizing weekly with diluted balanced fertilizer.
Establishment & Flowering
3-4 weeksAfter transplanting to garden, plant establishes roots (1-2 weeks), then begins flowering with small yellow flowers appearing in clusters
Install sturdy stakes or cages immediately. Pinch off lower leaves as plant grows. Apply consistent deep watering. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Fruit Development & Ripening
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers and gradually mature to deep purple-black color. Fruits are ready 20-30 days after flowering
Maintain consistent watering to prevent cracking. Prune excessive foliage to improve air circulation and sun exposure. Remove some lateral branches if plant becomes too dense. Monitor for pests.
Peak Harvest
6-10 weeksPlant produces continuous crops of dark purple-black fruits throughout season until frost. Fruits reach maximum color and flavor when fully ripe
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production. Continue watering and monitoring for late-season pests. In zones 3-4, extend season with row covers or harvest green fruits before frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage parasitic wasps, monitor plants regularly
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Remove affected lower leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide, water at soil level only
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Remove infected plant parts immediately, apply sulfur or copper-based fungicides, ensure good air circulation, avoid wetting foliage
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects, remove heavily infested leaves
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide if severe, remove heavily infested leaves, encourage predatory mites
Uses
Gourmet Slicing & Fresh Eating
CulinaryArabian Night tomatoes are exceptional for slicing in salads and serving fresh due to their complex, rich flavor with subtle smoky and fruity notes. Their distinctive dark color makes them visually striking in culinary presentations. [source]
Sauce & Cooking
CulinaryThese tomatoes produce deeply colored, flavorful sauces and cooked dishes. Their concentrated flavor means you can use fewer tomatoes for rich sauces, and their deep color creates striking red/purple hued products. [source]
Ornamental & Display
HouseholdThe dramatic dark purple-black fruit is as beautiful as it is delicious, making Arabian Night suitable for ornamental kitchen gardens or display plantings. The contrast between dark fruit and green foliage is visually stunning. [source]
Antioxidant-Rich Nutrition
MedicinalThe deep color indicates high anthocyanin and lycopene content, providing powerful antioxidants. These compounds support heart health, reduce inflammation, and may have cancer-preventive properties. [source]
Seed Saving & Heritage Preservation
CraftAs an heirloom variety, Arabian Night seeds can be saved and replanted yearly, allowing gardeners to preserve this distinctive cultivar and maintain genetic diversity in home gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when they achieve deep purple-black color and yield slightly to gentle pressure. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Can pick mature green fruits before frost and ripen indoors at room temperature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arabian Night's deep purple-black color comes from high concentrations of anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries, making it one of the most nutrient-dense tomato varieties.
- 🌱 This heirloom variety was developed and popularized by seed savers in the 1980s-1990s, making it one of the newer heirloom cultivars, yet it has quickly become a favorite among tomato enthusiasts worldwide.
- 🌱 The flavor profile of Arabian Night is described as having a complex, almost smoky quality with hints of plum and berry, making it distinctly different from standard red tomatoes and highly prized by chefs and home cooks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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