How to Grow Notte Negra
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Notte Negra
Solanum lycopersicum 'Notte Negra'
vegetableNotte Negra is an Italian heirloom tomato variety known for its deep, nearly black skin with dark red flesh inside. This indeterminate vine-type tomato produces medium-sized fruits with rich, complex flavor and exceptional sweetness. It's prized by gardeners and chefs for its stunning appearance and concentrated tomato taste.
When should you plant Notte Negra in your zone?
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Example Notte Negra timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Notte Negra
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 Notte Negra
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Notte Negra dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 are ideal; can be grown in zone 4 with season extension
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Get my Notte Negra timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate stems, developing root system
Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights; maintain soil moisture without waterlogging; keep temperature 70-75°F; thin if crowded
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingRapid stem and leaf development, plants 6-12 inches tall with vigorous foliage; no flowers yet
Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before planting; plant outdoors when soil is 60°F+; provide stakes or cages early; remove lower leaves as plant grows
Flowering
2-3 weeks, repeats throughout seasonBright yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses); plant continues growing, reaching 4-6 feet or taller
Ensure consistent watering during flower formation; provide balanced fertilizer; prune suckers on indeterminate varieties to focus energy; check for pests regularly
Fruit Development
3-4 weeksSmall green fruits form and swell; plant may reach full height of 6-8 feet; developing fruits are initially light green
Maintain deep watering schedule; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive foliage; continue pruning suckers; begin weekly disease monitoring
Ripening & Harvest
2-3 weeks per truss; continues until frostFruits transition from green to dark red-purple to nearly black; flesh becomes soft and sweet; skin develops characteristic dark color
Reduce watering slightly to concentrate sugars; harvest fully ripe fruits for best flavor; pick regularly to encourage more fruiting; use ripe fruits within 3-5 days
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; reflective mulch
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe; neem oil
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Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; mulch to prevent soil splash
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Remove infected foliage; spray with copper fungicide or chlorothalonil; ensure good drainage; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves; avoid wetting foliage; apply fungicide; improve spacing for airflow
Uses
Fresh eating & Salads
CulinaryNotte Negra's rich, concentrated flavor with complex sweetness makes it exceptional for fresh slicing in salads, on bruschetta, or simply eaten out of hand. The striking dark color adds visual drama to any dish. [source]
Sauce & Preservation
CulinaryThe deep red flesh and high sugar content make this variety excellent for making tomato sauce, pasta sauce, and preserves. The dark color intensifies when cooked, creating visually stunning sauces. [source]
Antioxidant-rich superfood
MedicinalThe deep coloring indicates high levels of lycopene and other antioxidants. Fresh or cooked tomatoes support cardiovascular health and may have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Seed saving
CraftNotte Negra is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, making it ideal for seed saving. Seeds from mature fruits can be fermented, dried, and stored for planting the following year to maintain this precious variety. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators throughout the growing season, supporting garden biodiversity and enhancing fruit set through effective pollination. [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 when fruits are fully black-red, yielding slightly to gentle pressure (usually 75-85 days after transplanting). Fruits ripen progressively over several weeks. For peak flavor, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine in warm conditions; if frost threatens, pick at the mature green stage and ripen indoors. Store at room temperature away from direct sun; refrigeration below 55°F damages flavor. Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Notte Negra means 'Black Night' in Italian, referencing the nearly black color of ripe fruits—a dramatic color that develops best with abundant sunlight and warm temperatures.
- 🌱 The dark coloring comes from high concentrations of anthocyanins and lycopene, the same compounds that give blueberries and red peppers their health benefits.
- 🌱 This heirloom variety is believed to originate from Southern Italy and has been passed down through generations of gardeners who save and replant seeds annually, making each plant uniquely adapted to its local growing conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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