How to Grow Savitri

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Savitri

Solanum lycopersicum 'Savitri'

vegetable

Savitri is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety known for its exceptional disease resistance and high productivity. It produces medium-sized, flavorful red fruits and is particularly valued for its tolerance to late blight and other fungal diseases. This variety is popular in organic and sustainable gardening due to its resilience without requiring heavy pesticide inputs.

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Example Savitri timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Savitri
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Savitri
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (minimum 6 hours)

💧

Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week; water deeply and regularly to prevent cracking and blossom end rot; maintain consistent watering from flowering through harvest

📏

Spacing: 24-36 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 70-85 days from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants buried up to first true leaves to encourage strong root development

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure perlite or coarse sand for drainage calcium (crushed eggshells or gypsum)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with proper protection and timing

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge, followed by first true leaves; delicate and pale green

Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily using grow lights; maintain soil moisture but avoid waterlogging; keep temperature at 70-75°F

Vegetative/Growth

4-6 weeks after transplanting

Plant develops compound leaves and a strong stem system; no flowers yet; rapid height and leaf production

Harden off seedlings before transplanting; transplant when 6-8 inches tall with 2-3 sets of true leaves; pinch suckers if desired to manage growth; support with cages or stakes early

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences); plant continues to grow taller; flowers develop at leaf axils

Ensure consistent watering and adequate nutrients, particularly potassium and phosphorus; avoid over-fertilizing nitrogen which delays flowering; shake flowers gently to aid pollination; maintain steady warmth (65-85°F)

Fruiting

4-6 weeks until mature fruit

Small green fruits develop from spent flowers; fruits gradually enlarge and change from green to light pink to deep red over 20-30 days

Maintain consistent watering to prevent fruit cracking; mulch around base to regulate soil moisture and temperature; prune excessive foliage in late season to allow sun exposure to ripening fruits; monitor for disease given this variety's focus on disease resistance

Harvest

Ongoing throughout season

Fully ripe fruits are deep red, slightly soft to gentle pressure, and easily detach from the vine; seeds inside are plump and viable if saving seeds

Harvest when fully colored for best flavor; can be picked at 'breaker stage' (showing first color) and ripened indoors; harvest regularly to encourage continued production; pick before first frost in cool climates

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

basil parsley marigold carrot onion borage lettuce spinach nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) fennel kohlrabi potatoes walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick; introduce parasitic wasps; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage natural predators like birds
Use reflective mulch; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs; yellow sticky traps
Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; neem oil or sulfur sprays
Remove lower leaves as plant grows; improve air circulation; mulch to prevent soil splash; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicides; Savitri has good resistance but not immunity
Savitri's primary strength—excellent resistance; maintain good airflow; avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves immediately

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and cooking

Culinary

Savitri produces flavorful medium tomatoes ideal for slicing, fresh salsas, sandwiches, and general cooking. The balanced sweet-acid flavor makes it versatile for both raw consumption and cooked sauces. [source]

💊

Antioxidant-rich food

Medicinal

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, supporting heart health and reducing oxidative stress. Savitri's good disease resistance often means less fungicide exposure, making it a cleaner choice for health-conscious gardeners. [source]

🍳

Sauce and preserving

Culinary

The prolific yield makes Savitri excellent for producing tomato sauce, passata, and canned products. Its disease resistance ensures a reliable harvest suitable for preservation projects. [source]

🎨

Seed saving

Craft

As an heirloom variety, Savitri can be saved for seeds year after year, reducing costs and allowing gardeners to select for preferred traits. Seeds are viable when fruits are fully ripe. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. Growing Savitri alongside diverse plantings enhances overall garden health. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when fully red and slightly soft to gentle pressure; fruits taste best when vine-ripened but can be picked at breaker stage for indoor ripening; harvest regularly to maintain production; in cool climates, harvest before first frost and ripen on windowsills; fruits continue to ripen after picking if stored at 68-77°F

Fun Facts

🌱 Savitri was developed by crossing wild disease-resistant tomato species with popular culinary varieties, making it a bridge between genetic diversity and modern gardening needs—its late blight resistance comes from Solanum phureja and other wild relatives.
🌱 The name 'Savitri' references Hindu mythology and the goddess of solar energy, fitting for a plant that thrives in full sunlight and converts solar energy into prolific fruit production.
🌱 Savitri is particularly popular in regions with cool, wet summers and high disease pressure, where its exceptional late blight resistance (caused by the same pathogen that triggered the Irish Potato Famine) allows gardeners to succeed where other tomatoes fail.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch pH Pollination Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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