How to Grow Black Midnight Tomato
Wikimedia Commons
Black Midnight Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Midnight'
vegetableBlack Midnight is a popular heirloom indeterminate tomato variety known for its deep mahogany-red to nearly black coloring and rich, complex flavor. The medium-sized fruits (6-8 oz) have a meaty interior with few seeds and excellent taste. This variety is prized by gardeners for its disease resistance and reliable production throughout the season.
When should you plant Black Midnight Tomato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Black Midnight Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Black Midnight Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Black Midnight Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Midnight Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, can be grown in 3-4 with season extension
Sign up free to see if Black Midnight Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Black Midnight Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons (seed leaves) appear within 5-10 days. First true leaves are small and serrated.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily under grow lights positioned 2-3 inches above seedlings. Maintain temperature around 70-75°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems with increasing numbers of compound leaves. Growth is rapid with no flowers yet. Plant reaches 6-12 inches tall, develops deeper root system.
Thin seedlings to strongest specimen. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions (hardening off) before transplanting. Support with small stakes if needed. Keep feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks if growing indoors.
Flowering
4-6 weeks, ongoingYellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences) along the main stem. Flowers are small and self-pollinating. Plant continues vegetative growth while producing flowers.
Ensure consistent watering to support fruit set. Gently shake flowering clusters daily (or use a small fan) to aid pollination. Begin using tomato-specific fertilizer higher in phosphorus to support fruit development. Continue pruning suckers on indeterminate varieties.
Fruiting
30-40 days to harvest-readyFlowers develop into green fruits that gradually expand. Fruits remain green for extended period (20-30 days post-set) before color changes. Fruits eventually transition to dark mahogany-red and nearly black color at full maturity.
Maintain steady watering; inconsistent water causes cracking and blossom end rot. Provide sturdy cages or stakes for support as fruit weight increases. Prune lower leaves for air circulation but keep some foliage to protect fruit from sunscald. Monitor for diseases and pests.
Harvest
Continuous until frostFruits reach full dark color, deep mahogany-red to nearly black. Fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure and develop sweet fragrance at the stem end.
Harvest when fully colored but still firm for best flavor. Pick in morning after dew dries. Indeterminate variety continues producing until frost. Remove fruit before first frost and ripen indoors if needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; plant borage and basil as trap crops; encourage parasitic wasps
-
Use reflective mulch; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa); yellow sticky traps
-
Increase humidity by misting; spray with strong water stream; use neem oil; introduce predatory mites
-
Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper-based fungicide; plant resistant varieties
-
Remove infected plant parts immediately; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; ensure good air circulation; avoid wet foliage
-
Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply copper-based fungicide; mulch to prevent spore splash
Uses
Fresh Slicing & Salads
CulinaryBlack Midnight's meaty texture and complex, slightly smoky flavor make it exceptional for fresh eating, slicing onto sandwiches, and heirloom tomato salads. The low seed content ensures a more solid, meatier bite. [source]
Sauce & Preserves
CulinaryThe rich flavor concentrates beautifully in cooked preparations like marinara sauce, tomato paste, and salsa. The dense flesh yields excellent sauce with minimal cooking required. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalDark tomato varieties like Black Midnight are particularly rich in lycopene and anthocyanins (the compounds giving it dark coloring), powerful antioxidants associated with heart health and cancer prevention. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdBlack Midnight is an heirloom open-pollinated variety, making it ideal for home gardeners to save seeds for future seasons. Seeds remain viable for 4-6 years when properly dried and stored. [source]
Pollinator Garden Support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects that pollinate the flowers and help control garden pests. A healthy tomato planting supports the broader garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Black Midnight tomatoes are best harvested when fully dark (mahogany-red to nearly black) and yielding slightly to gentle pressure. For peak flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. Pick in the morning after dew dries. If frost threatens before ripening, harvest at the mature-green stage and ripen indoors at 65-70°F away from direct sunlight. Fully ripe fruits store at room temperature; do not refrigerate as this damages flavor and texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Midnight tomatoes developed their dark coloring through natural plant genetics, similar to black garlic—the dark hue comes from high anthocyanin content, the same compound that makes blueberries and dark grapes healthy.
- 🌱 The indeterminate growth habit means Black Midnight vines can grow 6-8 feet tall or more and produce fruit continuously from mid-summer until the first hard frost, making it highly productive for smaller gardens.
- 🌱 Black Midnight is relatively disease-resistant compared to many heirloom varieties, with notable resistance to late blight and early blight, making it a popular choice for organic gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Black Midnight Tomato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Black Midnight Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Black Midnight Tomato timeline →