How to Grow Striped Tomato 'Tigerella'
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Striped Tomato 'Tigerella'
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tigerella'
vegetableTigerella is a distinctive heirloom tomato variety known for its striking red and yellow striped fruits and robust flavor. The plants are indeterminate vining types that produce medium-sized fruits (2-3 oz) with complex sweet-tart taste. This German heirloom is prized by gardeners for both ornamental appeal and excellent culinary qualities.
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Example Striped Tomato 'Tigerella' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Striped Tomato 'Tigerella'
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 Striped Tomato 'Tigerella'
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; plant after last frost date
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Get my Striped Tomato 'Tigerella' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with first true leaves emerging, still tender and pale green
Provide bright light (grow lights 3-4 inches away), maintain warm soil (70-75°F), keep consistently moist but not waterlogged, thin crowding seedlings
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlant develops robust stems, multiple compound leaves, and grows vigorously; no flowers yet
Harden off before transplanting outdoors, use stakes or cages early, remove lower leaves once plant is established to improve air circulation, fertilize with balanced formula every 2-3 weeks
Flowering
4-6 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters; plant may slow vegetative growth as it shifts energy to reproduction
Switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer (like 5-10-10) to support fruiting, maintain consistent watering and humidity, ensure adequate pollination by gently shaking flowers or encouraging pollinators, continue pruning suckers on indeterminate varieties
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeks per fruit clusterGreen fruits develop and enlarge; striped pattern becomes visible as fruits mature; plant continues producing new flowers and fruit clusters
Continue staking/supporting heavy fruit-laden branches, reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excess foliage, maintain consistent soil moisture (inconsistency causes cracking), prune some foliage for better air circulation and light penetration, monitor for pests and disease
Ripening & Harvest
2-3 weeks until full ripenessFruits transition from green to red with golden-yellow stripes; flavor develops fully as they ripen on vine; characteristic tiger-stripe pattern is most prominent at full maturity
Harvest when mostly red with good striping for best flavor, can pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) if frost threatens, continue watering but reduce frequency slightly, remove diseased foliage to improve ripening, fruits continue ripening off-vine in cool conditions
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), encourage parasitic wasps, inspect undersides of upper leaves
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Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, introduce ladybugs and lacewings
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil, use insecticidal soap, ensure good air circulation
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil, reflective mulch, introduce parasitic wasps
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Remove lower diseased leaves, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent soil splash, avoid wetting foliage, apply copper fungicide, rotate crops yearly
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Remove affected foliage immediately, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply chlorothalonil or copper fungicide, plant resistant varieties
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryTigerella's complex sweet-tart flavor and attractive striped appearance make it exceptional for fresh consumption, slicing into salads, or serving whole as a table garnish. The firm flesh holds up well to slicing and provides excellent color contrast. [source]
Sauce and preserving
CulinaryThe rich, balanced flavor translates beautifully into homemade tomato sauce, marinara, and paste. The good acid-sugar balance makes it suitable for water-bath canning and preserving. [source]
Ornamental garden display
HouseholdThe striking red-and-gold striped fruits make Tigerella a beautiful ornamental addition to vegetable gardens and containers, valued for visual appeal as much as productivity. [source]
Heirloom seed saving
CulinaryAs an open-pollinated heirloom, Tigerella seeds can be saved from mature fruits for replanting in subsequent seasons, allowing gardeners to preserve this variety year after year. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while providing them with nectar and pollen, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are mostly red with prominent golden-yellow stripes and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Tigerella can be picked at the breaker stage (first blush of red) and ripened indoors if needed. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight; do not refrigerate as cold diminishes flavor and texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tigerella is a German heirloom variety that has been grown for generations in Europe, and its distinctive striped appearance is reminiscent of a tiger's stripes—hence the name.
- 🌱 The striped pattern on Tigerella fruits is a result of anthocyanin pigmentation combined with lycopene development; the more sun exposure, the more vibrant the stripes become.
- 🌱 As an indeterminate variety, Tigerella will continue producing flowers and fruit throughout the growing season until frost, potentially yielding hundreds of tomatoes from a single plant if properly maintained.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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