How to Grow Hakuhou
Wikimedia Commons
Hakuhou
Solanum lycopersicum 'Hakuhou'
vegetableHakuhou is a Japanese heirloom tomato variety known for its large, perfectly round fruits with smooth skin and creamy white-to-pale-yellow coloring when ripe. This indeterminate variety produces sweet, mild-flavored tomatoes that are prized for fresh eating and their unique appearance in salads and culinary presentations.
When should you plant Hakuhou in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Hakuhou timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Hakuhou
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Hakuhou
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hakuhou dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with appropriate timing and protection
Sign up free to see if Hakuhou grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Hakuhou timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons and emerging true leaves; pale green coloring
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of grow light daily. Maintain temperatures of 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantBushy plant developing multiple stems and deep green foliage; no flowers yet
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Install sturdy stakes or cages early. Pinch side shoots on lower stem to encourage upward growth. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flower clusters appear in leaf axils; plant reaches full height with abundant foliage
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot. Provide calcium through crushed eggshells or lime if needed. Continue staking and light pruning of excessive foliage. Pollinate flowers by gently tapping stems.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop at flower sites; fruits gradually enlarge and change color to pale yellow-white as they mature
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; switch to phosphorus-potassium blend (5-15-15). Water consistently but allow slight drying between waterings. Monitor for pests and disease. Prune excessive foliage to expose ripening fruits to sunlight.
Harvest
Ongoing through frostFruits reach full size (8-10 oz) with creamy pale-yellow to white appearance and slight give when gently squeezed
Harvest when fully ripe and fragrant for best flavor. Pick in morning when cool. Continue harvesting throughout season; plant produces until first frost. Store at room temperature for 2-3 weeks; do not refrigerate.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if needed
-
Use yellow sticky traps, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly, release parasitic wasps
-
Increase humidity with misting, spray with water jet, apply neem oil or sulfur dust
-
Remove lower infected leaves, ensure air circulation, apply copper fungicide, avoid overhead watering
-
Choose resistant varieties when possible, apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide, remove infected plants entirely
-
Remove infected leaves, thin foliage for air circulation, apply copper fungicide, mulch to prevent soil splash
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryHakuhou's pale, creamy appearance makes it striking in fresh summer salads and slicing boards. Its mild, sweet flavor and tender flesh are ideal for light preparations where the beauty of the fruit shines. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe low acidity and mild flavor make Hakuhou excellent for creating delicate, subtle tomato sauces and soups. The pale color creates visually distinctive preparations in Japanese cuisine and modern gastronomy. [source]
Ornamental gardening
HouseholdThe stunning cream-to-white fruits and productive vines make Hakuhou suitable for ornamental vegetable gardens and edible landscaping. The pale fruits provide striking visual contrast against green foliage. [source]
Antioxidant content
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Hakuhou contains lycopene and other antioxidants, though the pale coloring suggests lower lycopene than red varieties. Still provides beneficial polyphenols and vitamins C and K. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an heirloom variety, Hakuhou is excellent for seed saving and perpetual cultivation. Gardeners can preserve this unique Japanese variety by fermenting seeds and storing them for future seasons. [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 ripe and creamy pale-yellow, typically 75-85 days after transplanting. The skin should yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit a sweet fragrance. Harvest in morning before heat sets in. For best flavor, allow to ripen on the vine; pale varieties benefit from full ripeness. If frost threatens, pick all fruits at mature green stage and ripen indoors on a windowsill or in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Hakuhou's mild flavor is best appreciated fresh within 1-2 weeks of harvest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hakuhou (白鳳) means 'white phoenix' in Japanese, named for its striking pale appearance and graceful form that resembles the legendary bird
- 🌱 This variety was developed in Japan and remains relatively uncommon outside of specialty heirloom circles, making it a prize for adventurous gardeners seeking unusual tomato varieties
- 🌱 The pale coloring is due to lower concentrations of lycopene (the compound that makes tomatoes red), which develops slowly in warm conditions—planting in hot-summer areas encourages faster color development
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Hakuhou planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Hakuhou seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Hakuhou timeline →