How to Grow Cherokee Purple Tomato
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Cherokee Purple Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'
vegetableCherokee Purple is a large, indeterminate heirloom tomato prized for its rich, complex flavor and distinctive dark purple-brown coloring. This open-pollinated variety produces substantial fruits weighing 10-12 ounces with few seeds and a meaty interior. It is considered one of the finest-tasting tomato varieties despite being somewhat challenging to grow.
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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 as an annual in cooler zones with extended season
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and emerging true leaves appear 7-14 days after germination
Provide bright light immediately to prevent leggy growth. Maintain soil moisture but avoid waterlogging. Keep at 70-75°F for optimal growth.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlants develop sturdy stems and multiple sets of true leaves. Growth accelerates as plants establish robust root systems.
Gradually harden off seedlings before transplanting. Fertilize weekly with balanced fertilizer. Support stems as they grow. Transplant when 6-8 inches tall with at least 4 true leaves.
Flowering
4-6 weeks after transplantingYellow flower clusters (inflorescences) appear along stems as plants mature. Flowers are self-fertile.
Maintain consistent watering to support flower development. Provide sturdy cages or stakes for indeterminate growth. Prune suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) to direct energy to fruit production. Ensure adequate potassium and phosphorus.
Fruiting
6-8 weeksGreen golf ball-sized fruits develop where flowers were. Fruits gradually enlarge and ripen from green to purple-brown over 3-4 weeks per fruit.
Water deeply and consistently to prevent splitting and blossom-end rot. Continue pruning suckers. Provide shade cloth in extreme heat (above 90°F) to prevent sun scald on fruits. Fertilize every 3 weeks with lower nitrogen ratio (5-10-10).
Harvest
Continuous until first frostFruits reach full size and develop characteristic deep purple-brown color. Flesh becomes soft and fragrant at full ripeness.
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Ripe fruits may develop small cracks at the top. Indeterminate varieties continue producing until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick larger caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for young caterpillars; monitor nightly with flashlight
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Use row covers on young plants; spray with insecticidal soap; maintain good air circulation; encourage beneficial predators like ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray leaves with water; use neem oil; introduce predatory mites in severe infestations
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Remove lower leaves as plant grows; improve air circulation; water at base only; apply copper fungicide at first sign of symptoms; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected leaves promptly; ensure adequate spacing for air flow; water in morning; apply sulfur or copper-based fungicides; avoid overhead watering
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium amendments; avoid low nitrogen fertilizers; mulch to regulate soil moisture
Uses
Fresh eating and premium slicing
CulinaryCherokee Purple's rich, complex flavor with smoky and fruity notes makes it ideal for fresh eating, slicing into salads, or serving on a plate with sea salt. Its meaty texture and low seed content make it perfect for gourmet applications. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe distinctive flavor profile translates beautifully into tomato sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes, providing depth beyond standard red tomatoes. Some home cooks reserve them for fresh use only to maximize their premium taste. [source]
Antioxidant-rich food
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Cherokee Purple is rich in lycopene and anthocyanins (the pigments giving it its purple color). These compounds have been studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated variety, Cherokee Purple is excellent for seed saving and maintaining genetic diversity in the home garden. Seeds saved from healthy plants will grow true to type. [source]
Support for pollinators
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, making Cherokee Purple plants beneficial for garden pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are fully colored and slightly soft—this variety is best eaten at peak ripeness for maximum flavor. Fruits can be harvested slightly early and ripened indoors on a windowsill if needed. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. In late season, pick green fruits before frost and ripen them indoors at 70-75°F in a paper bag with a ripe banana.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cherokee Purple was reportedly named after a Cherokee gardener who shared seeds with Glenn Shapiro, an amateur gardener from Tennessee, in the 1970s. It remains one of the most sought-after heirloom tomato varieties among serious tomato enthusiasts.
- 🌱 The distinctive purple coloring comes from the presence of anthocyanins, the same pigments found in blueberries and blackberries, making this variety visually and nutritionally unique among common tomato varieties.
- 🌱 Cherokee Purple is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues growing and producing fruit until frost, but this also makes it more labor-intensive to prune and support compared to determinate bush varieties. Many growers consider the exceptional flavor well worth the extra effort.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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