How to Grow Priscilla Tomato
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Priscilla Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Priscilla'
vegetablePriscilla is a determinate (bush-type) tomato variety known for its disease resistance and reliable production of medium-sized red fruits. It was developed specifically for home gardeners and commercial growers seeking resistance to common tomato diseases. The compact growth habit makes it ideal for containers and small garden spaces.
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Example Priscilla Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Priscilla 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 Priscilla Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Priscilla Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grow as annual in all zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) and first true leaves appearing. Plants are 2-4 inches tall.
Provide bright light (grow lights 3-4 inches above seedlings), maintain 70-75°F soil temperature, water gently to keep soil moist but not soggy, thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop multiple sets of true leaves and establish a bushy, compact form. Stems thicken and lateral branches form.
Harden off transplants before planting outdoors by exposing to wind and sun gradually. Once in ground, stake or cage early if desired. Pinch off lower leaves as plants grow to improve air circulation.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear in clusters along stems. Flowers have 5-6 petals and self-pollinate.
Maintain consistent watering and fertilization; avoid high nitrogen which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure adequate calcium intake to prevent blossom end rot. Light shake of branches at midday aids pollination.
Fruit Development
4-5 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop where flowers were. They gradually enlarge and slowly turn from green to red over 20-30 days.
Maintain steady watering to prevent cracking. Apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Remove suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) on determinate varieties to channel energy to fruit. Moderate fertilizer applications.
Harvest
Harvest window 2-3 weeks; continued light production possibleFully ripe red fruits are ready to pick. Fruits may ripen all at once due to determinate growth habit.
Pick fruits at 'breaker stage' (when pink begins to show) for even ripening. Store at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. Once first flush is harvested, production typically declines as plant energy shifts.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae in early morning; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage native parasitic wasps
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Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; ensure good air circulation
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Increase humidity and water spray on foliage; use miticide if severe; remove heavily infested leaves
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Remove lower leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper fungicide, water at soil level
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Remove infected leaves, space plants wider apart, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide if needed
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryPriscilla's medium size (4-5 oz) and balanced sweet-acid flavor make it excellent for fresh slicing, salads, and sandwiches. The determinate ripening habit means you can harvest and prepare multiple tomatoes simultaneously. [source]
Canning and sauce
CulinaryThe concentrated harvest window and disease resistance make Priscilla excellent for canning whole or as sauce. The low moisture content relative to size produces good sauce consistency. [source]
Nutritional support
MedicinalRich in lycopene (a powerful antioxidant), vitamins C and A, and potassium. Regular tomato consumption is associated with cardiovascular health benefits. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdThe compact determinate growth habit makes Priscilla ideal for growing in 5-gallon buckets, large pots, or confined spaces like patios and balconies. [source]
Beneficial insect support
WildlifeTomato flowers attract pollinators including honeybees and native bees. Allowing some foliage and flowers to remain provides habitat for beneficial insects that control pests. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Priscilla tomatoes ripen relatively synchronously due to their determinate nature. Begin harvesting when fruits show the 'breaker stage' (first blush of pink). Fruits harvested at this stage will ripen off the vine at room temperature. Pick every 2-3 days during peak season. For storage, keep tomatoes at room temperature (avoid refrigeration which diminishes flavor). With determinate varieties, expect a concentrated harvest window of 2-3 weeks rather than continuous production throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Priscilla was developed by the University of Florida as a disease-resistant cultivar specifically addressing Early Blight and Septoria Leaf Spot—two of the most troublesome tomato diseases in humid climates.
- 🌱 Determinate (bush) tomatoes like Priscilla were bred for mechanical harvesting in commercial settings, concentrating fruit ripening into a short window; this makes them less suitable for continuous harvesting but ideal for canning projects.
- 🌱 Tomatoes were domesticated in Mesoamerica over 5,000 years ago but weren't cultivated in Europe until the 1500s, making them a relatively recent addition to global agriculture despite their current ubiquity.
Gardening Terms
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