How to Grow Red Scarlet

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Red Scarlet

Solanum lycopersicum 'Red Scarlet'

vegetable

Red Scarlet is a determinate cherry tomato variety prized for its vibrant red color, sweet flavor, and prolific production. These compact plants produce abundant clusters of small, round fruits perfect for snacking, salads, and cooking. The variety is known for disease resistance and reliable yields in both garden and container settings.

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Example Red Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Red Scarlet
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Red Scarlet
Around Jun 21

≈ 65 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours ideal for maximum sweetness

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Water: Consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid leaf wetness and disease; more frequent watering during fruit-setting stage

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 65-75

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants set deep to first true leaves (buried stem develops roots)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir balanced fertilizer (NPK 5-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zone 3-4 with season extension

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plant with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves) developing into 2-4 true leaves; 1-2 inches tall

Provide 14-16 hours of grow light daily; maintain soil at 70-75°F; keep moist but not waterlogged; thin to strongest seedlings at 2-3 true leaves

Vegetative/Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops 3-4 sets of true leaves and branching stem structure; reaches 6-12 inches before flowering

Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting; pinch off any flowers that appear early to redirect energy to root/stem development; stake or cage early if using support

Flowering

2-3 weeks

First flower clusters appear in leaf axils, typically 4-5 weeks after transplanting; yellow flowers with 6-8 anthers in simple clusters

Maintain consistent watering; provide phosphorus-rich fertilizer (lower nitrogen to avoid excess foliage); pollinate manually with vibrating device or brush if indoors or in low-bee areas; space plants to ensure air circulation

Fruit Development & Maturation

4-6 weeks

Small green fruits develop from flowers, enlarging over 4-6 weeks; color transitions from light green to full red as sugars accumulate

Prune lower leaves once fruits set to improve air circulation and reduce disease; water consistently to prevent cracking; reduce nitrogen fertilizer; harvest at breaker stage (first blush of color) or full red

Harvest & Production

4-6 weeks to frost or season end

Mature red cherry tomatoes ready for harvest; plant continues producing clusters if maintained; fruits appear in waves

Pick fruits regularly to encourage continued flowering; support fruit-heavy branches with ties or additional stakes; deadhead any senescent flowers; extend season with frost protection in cool climates

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrots Marigolds Borage Nasturtiums Garlic Onions

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Fennel Potatoes Corn

Common Pests

Hand-pick; encourage parasitic wasps; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); remove egg-laden leaves
Yellow sticky traps; strong water spray; neem oil; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings; reflective mulches
Remove lower infected leaves; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; copper fungicide; resistant varieties
Remove infected leaves; avoid overhead watering; improve spacing; mulch; fungicide if severe
Maintain consistent soil moisture; calcium-rich soil; avoid excessive nitrogen; deep mulching

Uses

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Fresh eating and snacking

Culinary

Red Scarlet's sweet cherry size makes them perfect for popping fresh off the vine, adding to salads, or serving with cheese. Their thin skin and low acidity create an ideal eating experience compared to larger tomato varieties. [source]

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Cooking and sauces

Culinary

Abundant yields make Red Scarlet excellent for cooking down into fresh tomato sauce, paste, or chutneys. The high sugar content concentrates during cooking, creating rich, naturally sweet prepared foods. [source]

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Preserving and storage

Household

Cherry tomatoes can be frozen whole, canned, dried, or fermented for year-round use. Their uniform size and lack of large seeds make them ideal for preservation projects. [source]

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Nutritional and antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Red tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer prevention. Fresh consumption preserves heat-sensitive vitamins while lycopene becomes more bioavailable when heated. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. Growing Red Scarlet supports local pollinator populations while ensuring fruit set and garden biodiversity. [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 tomatoes when fully red or at breaker stage (first blush) for sweeter flavor; can be harvested green at season end and ripened indoors on a windowsill or in a paper bag; gently twist and pull or use pruners; harvest regularly to encourage continued production; morning harvesting yields crispest fruit

Fun Facts

🌱 Red Scarlet is a determinate variety, meaning it grows to a fixed size and sets most of its fruit at once, making it ideal for container gardening, small spaces, and simultaneous harvest for canning.
🌱 Tomato plants can continue producing throughout the season if flowers keep setting fruit; pinching off late-season flowers (8 weeks before first frost) redirects energy into ripening existing fruit.
🌱 Burying tomato stems deep when transplanting (even up to the lowest leaves) causes buried stem sections to develop adventitious roots, creating a stronger root system that accesses deeper soil moisture.

Gardening Terms

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

Deadhead Full Sun pH Transplant True Leaves

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