How to Grow Showgirl Tomato
Showgirl Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Showgirl'
vegetableShowgirl is a determinate heirloom tomato variety producing medium-sized, deeply ridged fruits with a classic beefsteak appearance and rich, complex flavor. Known for its attractive bicolor pattern with red and yellow striping, it combines ornamental appeal with excellent taste. This variety is popular among home gardeners for both eating fresh and in cooking applications.
When should you plant Showgirl Tomato in your zone?
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Example Showgirl Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Showgirl 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 Showgirl Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Showgirl Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 are ideal; can be grown as an annual in zones 3-4 with protection
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Get my Showgirl Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing; delicate and tender
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide bright light (grow lights), keep soil moist but not soggy, maintain 70-75°F temperature. Thin to strongest seedling per cell.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops robust stem, multiple branches, and increasingly dense foliage; no flowers yet
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant deeply, removing lower leaves. Provide sturdy support (cage, stake, or string). Pinch off suckers on indeterminate types if needed. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant reaches substantial height and foliage density
Maintain consistent watering to avoid blossom-end rot and flower drop. Provide balanced fertilizer or switch to low-nitrogen formula to encourage fruiting over leaf growth. Ensure good air circulation to prevent disease. Continue supporting plant as it gains weight.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksFruit sets and develops; visible small green tomatoes appear and gradually enlarge; characteristic bicolor striping begins to show
Continue consistent watering; irregular watering causes cracking and blossom-end rot. Prune excessive foliage only if needed for air circulation and disease prevention—do not strip leaves that shade developing fruit. Monitor for pests and diseases. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to focus energy on fruit ripening.
Ripening & Harvest
2-3 weeks per fruitFruits mature and develop full color—bicolor striping becomes prominent with red and yellow patterns clearly visible. Fruits become increasingly sweet and flavorful as they ripen.
Continue regular watering until fruit reaches full maturity. Harvest when fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure and colors are fully developed. Pick fruit in morning after dew dries. As season ends, reduce watering to concentrate sugars; pick all fruit before hard frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae and pupae, encourage beneficial parasitic wasps, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, use netting to exclude moths
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, use yellow sticky traps, encourage natural predators like ladybugs, improve air circulation
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Spray leaves with water to dislodge mites, use neem oil or miticide spray, maintain consistent humidity, remove heavily infested leaves
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Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, introduce ladybugs or lacewings, mulch with reflective materials
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Remove lower leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, apply copper or sulfur fungicide, water at soil level only
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Remove affected foliage immediately, apply copper-based fungicide, ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, space plants adequately
Uses
Slicing & Fresh Eating
CulinaryShowgirl's meaty texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor make it excellent for fresh slicing, sandwiches, and salads. The distinctive bicolor appearance adds visual appeal to dishes. [source]
Cooking & Sauces
CulinaryThe rich, complex flavor develops well in cooked preparations including tomato sauces, soups, stews, and salsas. The high solids content makes it suitable for sauce reduction. [source]
Ornamental Gardening
HouseholdThe striking bicolor red and yellow striping makes Showgirl an attractive ornamental crop for kitchen gardens and raised beds, combining beauty with productivity. [source]
Lycopene-Rich Health Benefits
MedicinalTomatoes, including Showgirl, are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties linked to reduced risk of certain chronic diseases. Cooking increases bioavailability. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a heirloom open-pollinated variety, Showgirl seeds can be collected, fermented, dried, and saved for future growing seasons, supporting gardening self-sufficiency. [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 fruit when it reaches full color with slight give to gentle pressure—typically 70-85 days after transplanting. Showgirl can be harvested at 'breaker stage' (when first color appears) and ripened indoors, or left on vine for maximum flavor. Morning harvest after dew dries is ideal. Ripe fruit will be bicolor red and yellow. Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate if possible, as cold temperatures diminish flavor. Continue harvesting until first frost; pick all remaining fruit and ripen indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Showgirl's distinctive bicolor pattern is a natural genetic trait; the yellow and red coloration comes from different pigment compounds (carotenoids and lycopene) developing in distinct regions of the fruit.
- 🌱 This is a determinate (bush) variety, meaning it flowers and sets fruit in concentrated waves rather than continuously throughout the season, making it ideal for home gardeners who want to harvest and preserve crops at once.
- 🌱 The ridged, heavily fluted appearance of Showgirl is characteristic of many old-time heirloom tomatoes and develops as multiple fruit chambers fuse during growth, creating its distinctive 'show' appearance.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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