How to Grow Jewel Scarlet Tomato
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Jewel Scarlet Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Jewel Scarlet'
vegetableJewel Scarlet is a determinate cherry tomato variety prized for its vibrant red color, sweet flavor, and compact growth habit. It produces abundant clusters of small, jewel-like fruits perfect for snacking, salads, and cooking. This disease-resistant cultivar is ideal for containers, small spaces, and gardeners seeking reliable yields.
When should you plant Jewel Scarlet Tomato in your zone?
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Example Jewel Scarlet Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Jewel Scarlet 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 Jewel Scarlet Tomato
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jewel Scarlet Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; grows as annual in colder zones (3-4)
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plant with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves; very delicate and light green.
Provide bright light (grow lights 3-4 inches above seedlings for 14-16 hours daily). Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if multiple emerge.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and grows taller; compact determinate form reaches 2-3 feet tall.
Harden off transplants by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Water consistently. Begin light fertilization with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Support with stakes or cages if needed.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters along the main stem and branches; plant continues growing but more flower clusters form than new vegetative growth.
Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus/potassium) to promote fruiting. Ensure adequate calcium to prevent blossom end rot. Light pruning of suckers on determinate varieties is optional.
Fruiting
3-4 weeks to first ripe fruit, then ongoing throughout seasonTiny green fruits set from flowers; fruits grow to full size (0.75-1 inch diameter) and gradually turn from green to red. Plant bears multiple clusters simultaneously.
Continue consistent watering—fluctuations cause cracking and disease. Mulch around base to regulate soil moisture. Apply balanced or fruit-promoting fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Monitor for pests and diseases. Provide afternoon shade in extremely hot climates (95°F+).
Harvest
4-8 weeks (until frost for annual growers)Fruits reach full size and vibrant scarlet color; plant continues producing in waves if kept healthy. Determinate varieties produce most fruit within a concentrated period.
Pick fruits when fully colored for peak sweetness. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Continue watering and fertilizing. Remove diseased leaves promptly. In late season, pinch off new flowers to direct energy to ripening fruit.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for young worms; encourage parasitic wasps
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; encourage native predators
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if severe; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves; improve ventilation; apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide; sanitize tools between cuts
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Maintain consistent soil moisture; add calcium (lime or gypsum); avoid excessive nitrogen
Uses
Fresh Snacking & Salads
CulinaryJewel Scarlet's small size, sweet flavor, and jewel-like appearance make them perfect for eating fresh off the vine, adding to salads, or serving as appetizers. The tender skin and juicy interior are ideal for raw consumption. [source]
Cooking & Sauce
CulinaryTheir concentrated sweetness and natural sugars make these tomatoes excellent for sauces, salsas, roasted vegetable dishes, and slow-cooked preparations. Multiple fruits cook down quickly into rich, flavorful reductions. [source]
Lycopene & Antioxidants
MedicinalJewel Scarlet tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention. Cooking tomatoes increases bioavailability of this beneficial compound. [source]
Ornamental Growing
CraftThe prolific, compact growth and abundant scarlet fruits make Jewel Scarlet an attractive ornamental plant for containers, hanging baskets, and patio gardens, combining beauty with productivity. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant small yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting local ecosystems while ensuring excellent fruit set. [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 slightly soft to the touch, usually 65-75 days from transplant. Harvest in the morning for best flavor. Gently twist or cut with pruners to avoid damaging vines. For determinate varieties, most fruit ripens within a 3-4 week window. To encourage ripening at season's end, pinch off new flowers 4-6 weeks before expected frost and reduce watering slightly (maintain minimum moisture to prevent splitting).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Determinate tomatoes like Jewel Scarlet were developed for mechanical harvesting in agriculture, making them perfect for gardeners who prefer concentrated yields rather than continuous production.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are botanically berries (the ripened ovary of a flower with seeds inside), not vegetables—though legally classified as vegetables in the U.S. since an 1893 Supreme Court decision.
- 🌱 Cherry tomatoes are more cold-tolerant and disease-resistant than larger heirloom varieties, making them reliable choices for challenging growing conditions and beginner gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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