How to Grow Purple de Alicante Tomato
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Purple de Alicante Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Purple de Alicante'
vegetablePurple de Alicante is a heirloom indeterminate tomato variety originating from Spain, prized for its deep purple-red fruits with rich, complex flavor. The plants produce medium-sized fruits (4-6 oz) with a distinctive dark coloring and excellent taste, making it a favorite among tomato enthusiasts. It's a vigorous grower that requires support and produces consistently throughout the season.
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Example Purple de Alicante Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple de Alicante 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 Purple de Alicante Tomato
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple de Alicante 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 techniques
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves appearing
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide bright light and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin or transplant when first true leaves appear.
Transplant/Vegetative
3-4 weeks in gardenYoung plants developing 4-6 true leaves, stems becoming sturdy
Harden off gradually before planting out after last frost danger. Space 24 inches apart. Install stakes or cages early to avoid root damage later. Begin regular watering and feeding schedule.
Flowering
4-6 weeksPlants reaching 2-4 feet tall with abundant yellow flower clusters appearing every 3 leaves
Maintain consistent watering to support flower set. Pinch off side shoots (suckers) on indeterminate types to focus energy on fruit production. Light feeding with balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruits developing from spent flowers; fruits gradually enlarging and beginning color change to purple-red
Continue consistent watering and support stems heavily laden with fruit. Mulch around base to regulate soil moisture. Remove some lower foliage to improve air circulation if plants are dense.
Harvest/Mature
6-10+ weeks until frostFruits reaching full size (4-6 oz) with deep purple-red color throughout; full flavor development
Harvest when fully colored but still slightly firm for best flavor. Can pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) if needed and ripen indoors. Continue harvesting throughout growing season; indeterminate plants produce until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for heavy infestations
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Reflective mulch, yellow sticky traps, neem oil, insecticidal soap, strong water spray
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Increase humidity, spray with water, neem oil, sulfur dust in warm climates
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Choose resistant varieties, rotate crops, remove infected plants, improve soil drainage and air circulation
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Remove lower infected leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, copper fungicide, avoid overhead watering
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Maintain consistent soil moisture, add calcium (crushed eggshells), mulch to regulate moisture
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryPurple de Alicante excels as a slicing tomato with rich, complex flavor ideal for fresh eating, sandwiches, and salads. Its meaty texture and deep flavor make it superior to most commercial varieties. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe concentrated sugars and complex flavor profile make this variety excellent for tomato sauces, pastes, and cooked dishes where deep flavor is desired. [source]
Flavor compound development
CulinaryDarker-colored tomatoes contain higher levels of anthocyanins and lycopene, giving them superior antioxidant content and the complex flavor that distinguishes heirloom varieties. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdAs an open-pollinated heirloom, Purple de Alicante produces true-to-type seeds that can be saved for next year's planting, making it economical for long-term gardeners. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTomato flowers attract native bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity while ensuring fruit set. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are fully colored dark purple-red and slightly yield to gentle pressure. For maximum flavor, allow to ripen fully on the vine. Can pick at breaker stage (first hint of color) if frost threatens and ripen indoors at 70-75°F. Best flavor develops 2-3 days after turning fully purple. Indeterminate varieties produce continuously until frost; pick regularly to encourage more fruit production.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple de Alicante is an heirloom variety that originated in Alicante, Spain, and has been grown for generations by home gardeners who prize it specifically for its superior flavor compared to modern commercial varieties.
- 🌱 The deep purple color comes from anthocyanins, the same beneficial compounds found in blueberries and blackberries, making it not just delicious but also nutritionally superior to red tomatoes.
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, Purple de Alicante will continue growing and producing fruit until killed by frost, making it ideal for long growing seasons and capable of yielding 100+ fruits per plant in favorable conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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