How to Grow Oxblood Tomato
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Oxblood Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Oxblood'
vegetableOxblood is a large, heirloom beefsteak tomato known for its deep crimson to burgundy coloring, often with darker striping or mottling that resembles oxblood. The fruit is meaty with relatively few seeds and a rich, complex flavor profile. This indeterminate variety produces medium to large fruits that are beloved by tomato enthusiasts for both appearance and taste.
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Example Oxblood Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Oxblood 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 Oxblood Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Oxblood Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension and protection
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, tender and delicate
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily; maintain 70-75°F; thin seedlings to prevent damping off
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingRapidly growing plants with expanding foliage and developing root systems; no flowers yet
Harden off before transplanting; space adequately for airflow; install support stakes or cages early; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plants become bushy and vigorous
Maintain consistent watering; apply mulch to regulate soil temperature; pinch off lower leaves as plant grows to improve airflow; switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruiting
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits develop and enlarge; deep burgundy color begins to show as fruits mature
Continue steady watering and support structure; prune excessive suckers to direct energy to fruit; provide shade cloth in extreme heat (above 90°F) to prevent sunscald; monitor for pests and disease
Harvest
Ongoing until frostFruits reach full size (8-12 oz) with deep oxblood-red coloring and slight softness to gentle pressure
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft; pick regularly to encourage continued production; store at room temperature, not in refrigerator, to maintain flavor
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick; encourage parasitic wasps; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if infestation is severe
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Increase humidity; spray leaves with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure adequate airflow
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves
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Spray with strong water jet; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Remove affected leaves; improve airflow; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide if necessary; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected plants; apply copper or sulfur fungicides; improve ventilation; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryThe deep, rich flavors and meaty texture make Oxblood tomatoes ideal for fresh eating, slicing for sandwiches, or using in heirloom tomato salads. The complex taste profile develops best when the fruit fully ripens on the vine. [source]
Sauce and paste production
CulinaryThe high solid content and low seed count make Oxblood excellent for making tomato sauce, paste, and reduction dishes. The naturally concentrated flavors intensify when cooked down. [source]
Visual ornament and decoration
HouseholdThe striking oxblood-red color with darker striping makes these tomatoes visually stunning for farmers market displays, table centerpieces, and food photography. The deep color is particularly photogenic. [source]
Antioxidant-rich nutrition
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Oxblood contains high levels of lycopene and other antioxidants that support cardiovascular and cellular health. The deep coloring indicates higher concentrations of beneficial phytonutrients. [source]
Seed saving
CraftOxblood is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, making it ideal for seed saving and preservation of the variety. Gardeners can harvest, ferment, and dry seeds for next season's planting. [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 fully colored deep oxblood-red and slightly yielding to gentle pressure. Pick fruits regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. For the best flavor and color intensity, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine. Oxblood tomatoes can be gently twisted and pulled from the vine. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight to maintain flavor; do not refrigerate unless absolutely necessary, as cold damages the delicate flavor compounds.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Oxblood tomatoes get their distinctive deep burgundy-red color from exceptionally high concentrations of lycopene and other anthocyanins, which develop more fully when plants receive 8+ hours of intense sunlight daily.
- 🌱 This heirloom variety has been passed down through generations and likely originated in Russia or Eastern Europe, where many of the most flavorful and colorful tomato varieties were developed.
- 🌱 The name 'Oxblood' refers to the dark, rich color resembling dried oxblood, a pigment historically used in paints and dyes.
Gardening Terms
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