How to Grow Cherokee Purple Tomato
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Cherokee Purple Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'
vegetableCherokee Purple is a popular heirloom tomato variety renowned for its large, deeply colored fruits with a rich, complex flavor profile. The distinctive dark purple-brown coloring and irregular shape make it a standout in gardens and on plates. Known for its exceptional taste, it's a favorite among tomato enthusiasts and chefs alike.
When should you plant Cherokee Purple Tomato in your zone?
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Example Cherokee Purple Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cherokee Purple Tomato
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 Cherokee Purple Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cherokee Purple 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 protection and season extension
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Get my Cherokee Purple Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall sprouts with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge; true leaves begin developing after 1-2 weeks
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; maintain 70-75°F soil temperature
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and sturdy stems; ready to transplant when 6-8 inches tall with 2-3 sets of leaves
Gradually harden off seedlings before planting outdoors; bury stem deeply to encourage root development; stake or cage early
Flowering
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters appear at leaf axils; plant continues to grow taller with multiple branching stems
Provide consistent water and fertilizer; prune suckers if desired for larger fruit; ensure adequate sun exposure
Fruiting
4-5 weeksSmall green fruits develop from flowers; size and shape become visible; characteristic dark coloring begins developing
Support heavy branches with stakes or ties; maintain consistent watering to prevent cracking; apply mulch to regulate soil moisture
Harvest
Ongoing through frostFruits reach full size and develop deep purple-brown coloring with slight give when gently squeezed; vine-ripened fruit ready to harvest
Harvest fully ripe for best flavor; handle gently to avoid bruising; pick at peak color; continue monitoring plant for additional fruit
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early in morning; encourage parasitic wasps; use spinosad if infestation is severe
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide if needed; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected leaves immediately; improve drainage and air flow; apply copper or sulfur fungicides preventatively in humid conditions
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial predators
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Remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering; ensure adequate spacing for air flow; apply copper fungicide
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Eating
CulinaryCherokee Purple tomatoes are prized for fresh consumption due to their exceptionally complex, rich flavor with balanced acidity and sweetness. Slice thickly for salads, sandwiches, or caprese dishes to showcase their distinctive appearance and taste. [source]
Sauces & Cooking
CulinaryTheir robust flavor makes them excellent for homemade tomato sauce, salsa, and gazpacho. The dense flesh holds up well in cooking while imparting deep, developed tomato flavor to finished dishes. [source]
Seed Saving
HouseholdAs a stable heirloom variety, Cherokee Purple is perfect for saving seeds for next year's crop. Allow fruit to fully ripen on vine before harvesting seeds and storing them properly for long-term viability. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalRich in lycopene, vitamins C and K, and anthocyanins (responsible for purple coloring), Cherokee Purple offers significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The dark pigmentation indicates high concentrations of protective phytonutrients. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Wait until fruits are fully colored with a slight give when gently squeezed for peak flavor—Cherokee Purple is worth waiting for full ripeness. Harvest in the morning when fruits are coolest. Handle carefully as the fruit's thin skin and large size make it somewhat delicate. Cut fruit from vine rather than pulling to avoid damaging plant. Continue harvesting throughout season; a mature plant produces 5-15+ large fruits depending on growing conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cherokee Purple is believed to have been passed down through Cherokee Nation families in Tennessee, though its exact origin is somewhat mysterious; it gained widespread popularity only after being 'rediscovered' and shared at seed exchanges in the late 1990s.
- 🌱 The distinctive dark purple-brown color comes from high levels of anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries and red wine, which develop most intensely when the fruit receives maximum sunlight.
- 🌱 Despite their impressive size (often 8-12 ounces), Cherokee Purple tomatoes are determinate indeterminate growers that continue producing fruit throughout the season, making them one of the longest-producing heirloom varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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