How to Grow Pointe Rouge
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Pointe Rouge
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pointe Rouge'
vegetablePointe Rouge is a French heirloom tomato variety known for its distinctive pointed, elongated fruit with deep red coloring and rich, complex flavor. This indeterminate vine tomato produces medium-sized fruits that are excellent for slicing and cooking. The plant is prized by gardeners for its productivity and superior taste profile.
When should you plant Pointe Rouge in your zone?
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Example Pointe Rouge timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pointe Rouge
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 Pointe Rouge
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pointe Rouge dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9; can be grown in zone 3-4 as annual with protection
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate stems and minimal foliage
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 12-16 hours of bright light daily; maintain temperatures 65-75°F; thin seedlings to prevent crowding
Vegetative
4-6 weeks after transplantingRobust vine growth with multiple branches, dense foliage, and no flowers yet; plant reaches 6-12 inches tall
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if starting indoors; maintain consistent watering; begin staking/caging system; remove lower leaves to improve air circulation; apply mulch around base
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow star-shaped flowers appear on the main stem and lateral branches; plant continues to grow taller and vine out
Maintain steady watering and balanced fertilization; avoid over-nitrogenous fertilizers that favor foliage over flowers; prune suckers on indeterminate varieties to direct energy; ensure adequate air circulation
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall green tomatoes develop at flower sites; fruit grows larger and begins color transition from green to red; plant becomes heavy with developing fruit
Support heavy branches with stakes or cages; water consistently to prevent splitting; reduce excessive nitrogen; thin some developing fruit to encourage larger individual tomatoes; monitor for disease and pests
Harvest
Ongoing from 70-85 days through frostFruits reach full deep red coloration with pointed tip characteristic; firm yet slightly yielding to gentle pressure
Harvest at full color for best flavor; leave on vine until fully ripe for superior taste; pick ripe fruit regularly to encourage continued production; use sharp scissors or knife to avoid damaging plant
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps; inspect plant daily
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; remove heavily infested leaves; maintain good air circulation
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Increase humidity; spray with water forcefully; apply miticide or neem oil; remove affected foliage
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Remove infected lower leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected plants entirely; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; avoid overhead watering; ensure good spacing; remove fallen plant material
Uses
Slicing and Fresh Cooking
CulinaryPointe Rouge's elongated shape and thin skin make it ideal for slicing into rings or wedges for sandwiches, salads, and fresh dishes. The rich, complex flavor with good acid-sugar balance enhances dishes like caprese and gazpacho. [source]
Sauce and Paste Making
CulinaryThe dense flesh and superior taste profile make Pointe Rouge excellent for homemade tomato sauce, paste, and preserves. Its flavor develops and concentrates beautifully through cooking. [source]
Antioxidant-Rich Nutrition
MedicinalLike all tomatoes, Pointe Rouge contains lycopene and other beneficial phytonutrients associated with cardiovascular health and reduced cancer risk. Raw and cooked tomatoes both provide nutritional benefits. [source]
Seed Saving and Heirloom Preservation
HouseholdPointe Rouge is an heirloom open-pollinated variety, allowing gardeners to save seeds from mature fruit for next season. This supports seed diversity and provides a cost-effective way to maintain favorite varieties. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe tomato flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting local ecosystem health and fruit set. Growing tomatoes helps sustain pollinator populations. [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 Pointe Rouge tomatoes when they reach full deep red color and slight give when gently squeezed. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine before picking. Use clean scissors or knives to avoid damaging the plant. In cool fall weather, pick at the mature green stage and ripen indoors on a windowsill.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pointe Rouge is a French heirloom variety with a history dating back several decades, originally developed in France and now celebrated internationally by tomato enthusiasts for its distinctive pointed shape and exceptional flavor.
- 🌱 The pointed tip of Pointe Rouge tomatoes is thought to contribute to improved flavor concentration, as the narrow end naturally ripens slightly faster and contains more sugar compounds than standard round tomatoes.
- 🌱 Tomatoes are botanically fruits but legally classified as vegetables in the United States—a distinction established by an 1893 Supreme Court ruling that recognized tomatoes as vegetable staples in cooking despite their botanical classification.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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