How to Grow Parasol White

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Parasol White

Solanum lycopersicum 'Parasol White'

vegetable

Parasol White is a compact, dwarf determinate tomato variety bred for container and small-space gardening. It produces small to medium white or pale cream-colored fruits with mild, sweet flavor and excellent ornamental appeal. The plant typically reaches 12-18 inches tall, making it ideal for patios, balconies, and compact gardens.

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Example Parasol White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Parasol White
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Parasol White
Around Jun 21

≈ 65 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Parasol White dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best fruit production

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply at soil level 1-2 inches per week, more frequently in hot weather. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal diseases.

📏

Spacing: 12-18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 65-75

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplant 2-3 inches deep when moving to larger containers or garden

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

compost aged manure perlite for drainage peat moss or coconut coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10 as a warm-season annual; grown in containers in cooler climates

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

7-10 days

Tiny plants with first true leaves appearing; cotyledons present. Very delicate and light green.

Maintain 70-75°F soil temperature. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright light 12-14 hours daily under grow lights. Thin seedlings to strongest specimens.

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Bushy growth with multiple sets of true leaves developing. Plant fills out compactly with sturdy stem. No flowers yet.

Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Provide bright light and maintain 65-70°F. Fertilize weekly with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Support stem if necessary.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small yellow flowers appear in clusters throughout the compact plant. Plant reaches near-full size (12-18 inches). Buds and early blooms visible.

Ensure consistent watering—fluctuating moisture causes blossom end rot and flower drop. Apply balanced tomato fertilizer or switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus formula. Maintain humidity around 60-70% for pollen viability.

Fruiting

3-4 weeks

Small green fruits develop and enlarge. Pale green to white fruits gradually mature, turning cream-white or pale yellow when ripe. Multiple fruit clusters visible.

Maintain steady watering schedule to prevent cracks and blossom end rot. Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage at expense of fruit. Stake or support plant if needed. Harvest mature green fruits to speed ripening of remaining fruit.

Harvest & Decline

2-3 weeks until first frost

Fruits reach full white/cream color and soft texture. Plant gradually stops producing and may show signs of stress or disease as season progresses.

Pick fruits at full color for best flavor. Continue watering but reduce fertilizer. Watch for late-season pests and fungal diseases. Remove heavily diseased foliage to improve air circulation.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil parsley marigold carrot garlic nasturtium borage thyme

Avoid planting near:

brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) fennel kohlrabi potatoes

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars early morning or dusk. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Encourage parasitic wasps. Scout daily on compact plants.
Strong water spray to dislodge. Neem oil spray. Insecticidal soap. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings. Spray undersides of leaves.
Yellow sticky traps. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Reflective mulches. Maintain adequate air circulation.
Regular misting to increase humidity. Neem oil or sulfur spray. Remove heavily infested leaves. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
Remove lower leaves. Improve air circulation. Stake plant off ground. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Copper or sulfur fungicide. Plant resistant varieties.
Maintain consistent watering. Mulch to regulate soil moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Ensure adequate calcium in soil.

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

Parasol White tomatoes are mild, sweet, and perfect for fresh consumption. Their pale color makes them visually distinctive in salads and on cheese boards. [source]

🍳

Sauces and cooking

Culinary

The meaty flesh and gentle flavor work well in light sauces, salsas, and cooked dishes. White tomatoes produce less acidic, mellower sauce than red varieties. [source]

🏠

Ornamental container gardening

Household

The dwarf, compact growth habit and unique pale fruit color make Parasol White excellent for decorative patio containers, hanging baskets, and small space gardens. Attractive to gardeners seeking novelty varieties. [source]

🍳

Unique flavored fruit

Culinary

White and cream-colored tomato varieties offer distinctly different flavor profiles from traditional red tomatoes, with lower acidity and subtle, complex taste. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

Small yellow tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects, providing nectar and pollen sources during the growing season. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when they reach full white or pale cream color and feel slightly soft to gentle pressure (usually 65-75 days from transplant). Harvest in morning after dew dries. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on plant, but mature green fruits can be picked and ripened indoors if needed. Compact determinate type produces much of its crop within 2-3 weeks, so harvest frequently. Can be harvested throughout the season until first frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 White and cream-colored tomatoes contain less lycopene (the red pigment) than red varieties, but offer unique sweet, complex flavors appreciated by tomato enthusiasts and chefs.
🌱 Parasol White was specifically bred for container gardening and small spaces, making it one of the most compact determinate tomato varieties available for urban gardeners.
🌱 Despite their pale appearance, white tomatoes are fully mature when cream-colored—there is no hidden red inside, and they do not become red as they ripen.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun pH Transplant True Leaves

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