How to Grow Principe Borghese Tomato
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Principe Borghese Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Principe Borghese'
vegetablePrincipe Borghese is a classic Italian heirloom tomato variety prized for its small, meaty fruits and exceptional flavor. Originally cultivated on the estates of Italian nobility, this determinate variety produces abundant clusters of uniform, oval-shaped tomatoes ideal for both fresh eating and drying. The plants are compact and vigorous, making them excellent for containers and small gardens.
When should you plant Principe Borghese Tomato in your zone?
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Example Principe Borghese Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Principe Borghese 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 Principe Borghese Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Principe Borghese Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in cooler zones with season extension techniques
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Get my Principe Borghese Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate and light green. Cotyledons (seed leaves) present initially.
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights). Keep temperature 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedling if direct seeding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksCompact, bushy plants 12-18 inches tall with increasingly dense foliage and multiple branches. Dark green leaves develop fully.
Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Plant outside after last frost when soil is warm (60°F+). Install support stakes early. Pinch off lowest leaves when plants are 12 inches tall. Water consistently and apply mulch.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters (trusses) along the stems. Plant reaches full height of 18-24 inches.
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and fruit cracking. Provide balanced fertilizer or switch to lower-nitrogen formula. Ensure good air circulation. Mulch to regulate soil moisture.
Fruiting & Ripening
4-6 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits form in clusters and gradually enlarge to 1-1.5 inches diameter. Color changes from green to golden-orange to deep red as they ripen.
Water deeply and consistently—this is critical to prevent cracking and splitting. Remove any diseased or damaged leaves below ripening fruits. Stop heavy pruning to avoid sunscald. Prune only for disease management.
Harvest & Storage
Ongoing until first frostMature fruits are deep red, firm, and meaty with concentrated flavor. Fruits can be left on vine to fully ripen or picked at breaker stage.
Harvest at full ripeness for best flavor and drying potential. For drying, pick slightly firm fruits and allow 2-3 weeks to dry completely in warm, low-humidity conditions. Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature, not in refrigerator.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily; encourage parasitic wasps; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); check undersides of leaves frequently
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Spray with strong water stream; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; release predatory mites
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; vacuum adults with hand-held device
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Remove infected leaves promptly; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper fungicide if severe
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Remove infected foliage; maintain drip irrigation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur-based fungicide
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryPrincipe Borghese tomatoes offer exceptional sweet flavor with a meaty texture perfect for eating fresh, slicing into salads, or serving with burrata and fresh basil. Their small size and concentrated flavor make them ideal for fine dining presentations. [source]
Drying and preservation
CulinaryThis variety is famous in Italian cuisine for sun-drying into intensely flavored dried tomatoes. The small size, meaty flesh, and low seed content make them perfect for traditional drying methods and long-term storage. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryRich, concentrated flavor makes these tomatoes excellent for making authentic Italian sauces, pastes, and concentrated cooking bases. Fewer seeds and less water content compared to many modern varieties. [source]
Container and small space gardening
HouseholdThe determinate, compact growth habit makes Principe Borghese ideal for patio containers, balconies, and small gardens where space is limited. Excellent for urban gardeners. [source]
Seed saving and heirloom preservation
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Principe Borghese is ideal for seed saving and maintaining genetic diversity. Seeds can be saved from fully ripe fruits for replanting next season. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pick fruits when fully red for fresh eating (they will be deeply flavorful and meaty). For drying, harvest when fruits reach full maturity but are still slightly firm—they should detach easily from the vine. Fully ripe Principe Borghese tomatoes have concentrated sugars and few seeds, making them ideal for sun-drying. Allow 2-3 weeks of drying in warm (85-95°F), dry conditions with good air circulation. Continue harvesting regularly to encourage more fruit production until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Principe Borghese was originally cultivated on the private estates of the Borghese family, Italian nobility with centuries of horticultural tradition. It was nearly lost to history until seed savers and heirloom enthusiasts rediscovered and preserved it.
- 🌱 This variety was the preferred tomato for traditional Italian dried tomato (pomodoro secco) production, particularly in southern Italy where the Mediterranean climate and sun-drying techniques originated.
- 🌱 Despite being a 'small' tomato, Principe Borghese develops exceptionally thick walls and dense, meaty flesh with remarkably few seeds—qualities that distinguish true heirloom varieties from modern hybrids optimized for water content and yield.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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