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How to Grow Stokes Purple

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Stokes Purple

Solanum americanum var. nodiflorum

vegetable

Stokes Purple is a rare, heirloom tomato variety known for its striking deep purple coloration and rich, complex flavor profile. This indeterminate vine produces medium-sized fruits with a distinctive dark purple-black exterior and deep red interior. The plant is prized by heirloom gardeners for its unique appearance and superior taste.

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Example Stokes Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Stokes Purple

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Stokes Purple

    Around Jul 1

    ≈ 75 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (essential for color development)
💧
Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week. Water deeply at soil level to avoid fungal diseases. Maintain even moisture during fruit development to prevent cracking.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplant deeply, burying stem up to first true leaves

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss or coconut coir bone meal for phosphorus balanced fertilizer (5-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with season extension techniques possible in zones 3-4

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny green plants with cotyledons and emerging true leaves. Very fragile and tender.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Maintain 70-75°F temperature. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks in pots, then 2-3 weeks after transplant

Young plants develop robust foliage with multiple sets of true leaves. Stem thickens and becomes woody.

Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Harden off by increasing light and reducing protection. Plant outdoors after last frost with soil warmed to 60°F. Support early with a small stake.

3

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences). Plant continues vine growth and foliage expansion.

Maintain consistent watering and provide balanced fertilization. Support plant with sturdy cage or stakes as it grows indeterminate (viney). Remove bottom suckers below first fruit cluster for air circulation. Avoid high nitrogen which promotes foliage over flowers.

4

Fruiting & Ripening

4-5 weeks from fruit set to full maturity

Small green fruits develop from flowers and gradually enlarge. Fruits undergo color change from green to purple-black, with deep red interior developing. Purple coloration indicates ripeness.

Continue consistent watering; critical to prevent cracking. Support heavy fruit clusters with additional ties. Monitor for pests and diseases weekly. Prune excessive foliage if shading prevents ripening, but keep foliage to protect fruit from sunscald. Reduce nitrogen, increase potassium.

5

Harvest

Ongoing through frost or until plant death

Fruits display full deep purple coloration and give slightly to gentle pressure. Interior is fully red and sweet.

Pick fruits when fully colored and slightly soft. Vine continues producing if frost doesn't arrive. At season's end, pull entire plant and hang upside down for weeks to continue ripening green fruits.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Carrot Marigold Nasturtium Parsley Borage Onion

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Kohlrabi Other Solanaceae family plants (peppers, eggplants) if space is limited

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick large caterpillars daily. Encourage parasitic wasps. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for larvae. Severe infestations may require spinosad.

  • Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on undersides of leaves every 7 days. Use yellow sticky traps. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.

  • Remove infected lower leaves immediately. Improve air circulation. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide weekly. Water at soil level only.

  • Plant resistant varieties when possible. Remove infected foliage. Ensure excellent air circulation. Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide. Destroy infected plant material.

  • Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis). Avoid excessive nitrogen.

Uses

🍳

Slicing and Fresh Eating

Culinary

Stokes Purple excels as a slicing tomato with rich, complex flavor that surpasses most commercial varieties. The deep purple exterior and red interior make striking presentations in salads and on the plate. [source]

🍳

Sauces and Preservation

Culinary

The meaty texture and concentrated flavor make Stokes Purple excellent for sauces, salsas, and canned preserves. The deep color carries through to finished products. [source]

🍳

Specialized Cooking

Culinary

Its unique appearance makes it prized for heirloom tomato tastings, farmers markets, and gourmet cuisine. The complex flavor pairs well with fresh basil, quality olive oil, and artisanal preparations. [source]

🏠

Seed Saving

Household

As an heirloom variety, Stokes Purple is excellent for saving seeds for next season. It's open-pollinated and breeds true, allowing gardeners to preserve this rare variety. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The abundant yellow flowers provide nectar for bees and beneficial insects throughout the growing season, supporting pollinator populations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully deep purple and slightly yielding to pressure. Unlike some heirlooms, Stokes Purple ripens on the vine and flavor is best when fully colored. Twist gently or use pruning shears to harvest. Early morning harvest offers best flavor. For extended season, pull entire plant at first frost threat and hang upside down in cool location to slowly ripen remaining green fruits over several weeks.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Stokes Purple is an extremely rare heirloom variety that nearly disappeared from cultivation, with seed stocks preserved by dedicated heirloom gardeners and seed savers.
  • 🌱 The purple coloration in tomatoes comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant compounds found in blueberries, making purple tomatoes a unique source of these beneficial compounds.
  • 🌱 Unlike some purple tomatoes that lack flavor, Stokes Purple is renowned among heirloom enthusiasts for its exceptionally rich, complex taste with fruity and slightly smoky notes.

Gardening Terms

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

Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Sucker True Leaves
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