How to Grow Excalibur White
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Excalibur White
Solanum lycopersicum 'Excalibur White'
vegetableExcalibur White is a rare heirloom tomato variety prized for its pale cream to ivory-colored fruits with a smooth, dense interior and exceptionally sweet flavor. The indeterminate vines produce medium to large fruits that are meaty and nearly seedless, making them excellent for fresh eating and specialty culinary applications. This variety is highly disease-resistant and well-suited to both home gardens and commercial production.
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Example Excalibur White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Excalibur White
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 Excalibur White
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Excalibur White dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10, can grow in zone 4 with protection; heat-loving variety
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Seedling
4-6 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging; delicate and tender
Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily) to prevent leggy growth. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain temperature 65-75°F. Begin gentle air circulation when leaves appear.
Vegetative/Growth
4-6 weeksVigorous indeterminate vine growth with 6+ true leaves and strong branching; no flowers yet
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting. Transplant when soil reaches 60°F. Support with stakes or cages early. Prune lower leaves after flowers appear. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters appear in leaf axils; small yellow flowers with prominent stamens
Provide consistent water and avoid nitrogen excess (promotes foliage over flowers). Switch to tomato-specific fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium. Ensure pollination through air movement. Monitor for early blight.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits developing behind flowers; fruits gradually enlarge and color transitions from green to pale cream/ivory
Maintain steady moisture to prevent fruit cracking and blossom-end rot. Increase potassium and calcium feeding. Prune upper foliage once fruits are fist-sized to direct energy to ripening. Remove diseased leaves promptly.
Harvest
8-12 weeks of continuous harvestFully ripe fruits display uniform pale cream to ivory color with slight softness when gently pressed; sugar content peaks at full maturity
Harvest at full color but still slightly firm for best flavor and storage. Ripe fruits should yield slightly to gentle pressure. Continue watering and harvesting upper flowers for extended season. Vines produce continuously until first frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick or scout daily; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps with diverse plantings
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase air circulation
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or sulfur; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Remove lower affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper or sulfur fungicide
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Remove affected fruit and foliage; ensure good air flow; apply fungicide containing chlorothalonil or copper; destroy infected plants
Uses
Fresh eating and gourmet preparations
CulinaryExcalibur White's pale color, sweetness, and dense, meaty flesh make it exceptional for fresh slicing, caprese salads, and fine dining presentations. The low seed content and firm texture hold up well in both raw and lightly cooked applications. [source]
Tomato sauce and preservation
CulinaryThe concentrated flavor and high solids content make this variety ideal for homemade tomato sauce, paste, and canning. The ivory color produces visually distinctive preserved products. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs a true heirloom variety, Excalibur White seeds breed true and can be saved for future planting. The few seeds per fruit make seed extraction straightforward. [source]
Lycopene and antioxidants
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene and other carotenoids that support heart health and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption as part of a balanced diet may contribute to overall wellness. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators that improve fruit set and overall garden productivity. [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 fruits when fully colored (pale cream/ivory) but still slightly firm; this variety continues ripening off the vine. Gently twist or cut fruits to avoid damaging vines. Morning harvest when fruits are coolest preserves flavor and texture. Can harvest green fruits in fall for indoor ripening. The thick, meaty flesh stores well at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; refrigerate only if necessary as cold diminishes flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Excalibur White is named after the legendary sword, reflecting its perceived 'noble' status among heirloom tomatoes. Its pale, nearly white appearance is extremely rare in commercial tomato varieties and makes it a prized collector's item.
- 🌱 The variety was nearly lost to obscurity but has been revived by dedicated heirloom seed savers; it represents a critical example of agricultural biodiversity conservation.
- 🌱 Despite its delicate appearance, Excalibur White is notably disease-resistant, particularly to late blight—a significant advantage over many traditional heirloom varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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