How to Grow Cherry Cheeks Tomato
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Cherry Cheeks Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherry Cheeks'
vegetableCherry Cheeks is a determinate cherry tomato variety known for its striking bicolor fruits with red coloring on one side and yellow on the other, creating a distinctive two-toned appearance. The plants are compact and prolific, producing abundant small sweet fruits ideal for fresh eating and salads. This variety combines ornamental appeal with excellent flavor and productivity.
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Example Cherry Cheeks Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cherry Cheeks 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 Cherry Cheeks Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cherry Cheeks Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 as summer annuals with protection
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-3 true leaves emerging; delicate green foliage developing
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain 70-75°F soil temperature, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, provide air circulation to prevent damping off
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingRapidly growing bushy plants with multiple stems and branches; dark green foliage fills out; no flowers yet
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting; once in garden, support with stakes or cages; remove lower leaves as plant grows; pinch suckers on indeterminate types if desired
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (trusses); small green fruit begins setting behind flowers
Ensure consistent watering and phosphorus availability; avoid excessive nitrogen which delays fruiting; maintain steady warmth (65-80°F); gentle shaking helps pollination
Fruiting
3-4 weeks before harvestSmall green fruit rapidly enlarges; characteristic bicolor pattern begins showing as fruit matures from green to red-yellow split coloring
Support heavily laden branches with string or stakes; water consistently to prevent cracking and blossom end rot; feed with balanced or tomato-specific fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; prune excess foliage if needed for air circulation
Harvest
4-8 weeks (extends until frost)Fruits reach full bicolor maturity with vibrant red and yellow coloring; fruits are sweet, firm, and fully ripe
Pick fruit when fully colored for peak sweetness; pinch off new flowers 4-6 weeks before first frost to redirect energy; continue harvesting until plants decline in fall
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, inspect plants regularly
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap, improve air circulation, remove infested leaves
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Increase humidity, spray water to dislodge mites, use neem oil, reflective mulches may help prevent
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Remove lower infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, mulch soil to prevent splash, use copper fungicide if severe, ensure good air circulation
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Remove infected foliage, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur or copper fungicide preventatively in humid conditions
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryCherry Cheeks' small, sweet bicolor fruits are perfect for fresh salads, snacking, and garnishing. The unique red-and-yellow coloring adds visual appeal to dishes while providing excellent flavor balance. [source]
Roasting and cooking
CulinaryThe firm skin and dense flesh make Cherry Cheeks suitable for roasting whole, adding to pasta dishes, or slow-cooking for concentrated flavor. The natural sweetness intensifies when cooked. [source]
Nutrition and antioxidants
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Cherry Cheeks is rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium, supporting heart health and immune function. The antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. [source]
Ornamental gardening
HouseholdThe striking bicolor fruits and compact determinate growth habit make Cherry Cheeks attractive as an ornamental plant in vegetable gardens, containers, and landscape displays. The visual appeal enhances garden aesthetics while producing food. [source]
Seed saving
CraftCherry Cheeks is an open-pollinated variety suitable for home seed saving. Gardeners can ferment and dry seeds for replanting, creating a sustainable supply and preserving the unique bicolor trait. [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 fruit when it reaches full bicolor coloring (predominantly red with yellow sections); fruit will be sweet and firm. Cherry Cheeks can be harvested at the breaker stage (just beginning to show color) and ripened indoors, but vine-ripened fruit has superior flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. Cut or gently twist fruit from the vine to avoid damaging branches. Pick all mature fruit before the first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The distinctive red-and-yellow bicolor pattern of Cherry Cheeks makes it instantly recognizable and highly prized by gardeners seeking ornamental food plants; no two fruits are exactly alike in their color distribution.
- 🌱 Cherry Cheeks is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a fixed size and produces most of its fruit within a concentrated timeframe, making it ideal for container gardening and small spaces.
- 🌱 The unique coloring of Cherry Cheeks occurs due to a combination of natural pigments (lycopene for red, carotenoids for yellow), making the fruit not only beautiful but also packed with complementary antioxidants.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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