How to Grow Diamante

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Diamante

Solanum lycopersicum 'Diamante'

vegetable

Diamante is a determinate cherry tomato variety prized for its small, jewel-like fruits and exceptional disease resistance. It produces abundant clusters of sweet, glossy red tomatoes that are perfect for fresh eating, salads, and snacking. This compact, bushy plant is ideal for container growing and small-space gardens.

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Example Diamante timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Diamante
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Diamante
Around Jun 24

≈ 68 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Diamante dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8-10 hours daily; minimum 6 hours

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Water: Consistent, even moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent disease. Water at soil level; drought stress and inconsistent watering cause blossom-end rot and fruit cracking.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 68-75 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Seed: 0.25 inches deep; Transplant: bury up to first true leaves to encourage root development

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite or vermiculite for drainage Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-10; grown as annual in cooler zones, can be perennial in warm climates

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny plants with 2-3 true leaves emerge within 5-10 days. Cotyledons (seed leaves) appear first, followed by true leaves.

Provide 12-16 hours of bright light daily. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain temperature 70-80°F. Thin seedlings if overcrowded.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Plant develops multiple stems and compound leaves, becoming bushier and more robust. No flowers appear yet; growth is focused on foliage.

Harden off transplants before moving outdoors. Plant after last frost when soil temps reach 60°F+. Use low-nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive leaf growth. Support with stakes if needed.

Flowering

3-4 weeks, overlapping with fruiting

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences) along the stems. Flowers are self-fertile and buzz-pollinated by bumblebees.

Maintain consistent watering and calcium intake to prevent blossom-end rot. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Hand-pollinate in low-light conditions by gently tapping flowers. Provide support structures.

Fruiting

3-4 weeks from flower to ripe fruit

Flowers develop into small green fruits that gradually enlarge to cherry tomato size (0.5-1 inch diameter). Fruits ripen from green to glossy red.

Continue consistent watering; drip irrigation is ideal. Feed with balanced or slightly higher-potassium fertilizer. Prune suckers on determinate plants sparingly. Watch for pests and diseases.

Harvest

4-8 weeks of peak harvest

Fruits reach full size and deep red color, becoming slightly soft to gentle pressure. Plant continues producing clusters throughout season.

Pick fruits when fully red and ripe for best flavor. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Remove yellowed or diseased leaves.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrots Lettuce Spinach Marigolds Nasturtiums Borage Garlic Onions

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Potatoes Corn Walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick daily; introduce parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; neem oil
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps
Increase humidity; spray with water; insecticidal soap; neem oil; predatory mites
Plant resistant varieties (Diamante is resistant); remove infected plants; rotate crops; improve drainage
Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; copper or sulfur fungicides; resistant varieties
Remove infected leaves; improve air flow; avoid overhead watering; copper fungicides; resistant varieties

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Snacking

Culinary

Diamante cherry tomatoes are perfect for fresh eating straight from the garden due to their sweet flavor and bite-sized portions. Their glossy appearance and consistent shape make them ideal for colorful salads, antipasto platters, and kebewers. [source]

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Sauces & Preserves

Culinary

The abundant harvest can be processed into tomato sauce, paste, or jam. The high sugar content and low acid ratio make them excellent for creating sweet tomato preserves and condiments. [source]

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Lycopene & Antioxidants

Medicinal

Red tomatoes, including Diamante, contain high levels of lycopene, a powerful carotenoid antioxidant linked to reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Cooking slightly increases lycopene bioavailability. [source]

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Container & Decorative Gardening

Household

The determinate, bushy growth habit and prolific clusters of shiny red fruits make Diamante an excellent choice for patio containers, hanging baskets, and ornamental vegetable gardens. The abundant fruit display is both beautiful and productive. [source]

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Seed Saving

Craft

As a hybrid variety, Diamante is not ideal for seed saving as offspring may not produce identical plants. However, seeds can be fermented and saved for experimental growing or to extend a season. [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 fully red and ripe (typically 20-25 days after flowering). Gently twist and pull, or use pruners to avoid damaging vines. Harvest daily during peak season to encourage continued fruiting. Tomatoes do not ripen further off the vine once fully mature. For last-season harvest, pick green fruits 10 days before first frost and ripen indoors. Ripe fruits keep 1-2 weeks at room temperature or 7-10 days in refrigerator.

Fun Facts

🌱 Diamante means 'diamond' in Spanish and Italian, referring to the jewel-like appearance of the glossy red fruits that catch and reflect light beautifully.
🌱 Diamante is a determinate (bush) type cherry tomato, meaning it grows to a fixed size and produces its fruit harvest in a concentrated period—ideal for container growing and small spaces, unlike indeterminate vining types.
🌱 This variety was bred for exceptional disease resistance, particularly to Fusarium and Verticillium wilts, making it reliable for gardeners in humid regions or areas prone to tomato diseases.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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