How to Grow Lanai Purple
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Lanai Purple
Solanum lycopersicum 'Lanai Purple'
vegetableLanai Purple is a compact, determinate tomato variety bred for container growing, producing deep purple fruits with rich, complex flavor. Developed by the University of Hawaii, it thrives in warm climates and is ideal for small spaces, patios, and balconies. The plants are bushy and self-supporting, reaching only 2-3 feet tall.
When should you plant Lanai Purple in your zone?
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Example Lanai Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lanai Purple
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 Lanai Purple
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lanai Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-10; grows as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warmest zones
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves, pale green color
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily. Maintain 70-75°F. Begin fertilizing with dilute liquid fertilizer at 2 weeks.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingBushy, compact growth with numerous branches and dark green foliage; plant reaches 1-2 feet
Transplant to larger containers or garden after last frost. Support with small stakes. Pinch suckers occasionally but not excessively as Lanai Purple is determinate. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences); plant continues compact bushy growth
Ensure consistent watering and calcium intake. Provide 8+ hours sun. Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus/potassium) to encourage fruiting. Pollinate flowers by gently shaking plant or using soft brush.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksGreen fruits develop from flowers; gradually mature to deep purple/black color with slight bronzing
Maintain even moisture to prevent cracking and blossom end rot. Continue consistent fertilizing. Thin excessive foliage carefully to allow light penetration to ripening fruit. Water at soil level only.
Harvest-Ready
Ongoing through frostFruits reach full deep purple color, becoming slightly soft when gently squeezed
Harvest when fully colored for best flavor. Can pick slightly early and ripen indoors at room temperature. Continue watering and fertilizing to extend harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, encourage parasitic wasps
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, apply neem oil
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil or sulfur, use miticides if severe
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil, vacuum pests with hand-held device
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Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, water at soil level, apply copper fungicide, mulch to prevent spore splash
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Remove infected plants, improve drainage and air circulation, apply fungicide with chlorothalonil or copper, avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fresh eating & salads
CulinaryLanai Purple has a rich, complex flavor with fruity and slightly smoky notes, making it excellent for fresh eating, slicing into salads, or enjoying as a snack. The dense flesh holds up well to slicing. [source]
Cooking & sauce-making
CulinaryThe concentrated flavor and deep color make Lanai Purple suitable for sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes, producing a dark, flavorful base. [source]
Antioxidant-rich superfood
MedicinalPurple tomatoes contain elevated levels of anthocyanins and lycopene, compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties studied for cardiovascular and cancer-prevention benefits. [source]
Container & patio gardening
HouseholdThe compact, determinate growth habit and container-friendliness make Lanai Purple ideal for small spaces, balconies, patios, and urban gardens where space is limited. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems while improving fruit set and yield. [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 colored (deep purple) for best flavor and antioxidant content, typically 70-85 days from transplant. Gently twist and pull, or cut with pruners. Purple tomatoes can be picked slightly early and ripened at room temperature (68-72°F) for 3-5 days. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Continue harvesting until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lanai Purple was developed by the University of Hawaii specifically for container growing in warm climates, making it one of the few purple tomato varieties optimized for small spaces.
- 🌱 The deep purple color in tomatoes comes from anthocyanins, the same pigments found in blueberries and blackberries, providing unique antioxidants not found in red tomato varieties.
- 🌱 Unlike most determinate tomatoes, Lanai Purple produces a continuous flush of flowers and fruit throughout the growing season if kept healthy and fertilized, rather than ripening all fruit at once.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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