How to Grow The Pearl

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The Pearl

Solanum lycopersicum 'The Pearl'

vegetable

The Pearl is a determinate heirloom tomato variety known for its small, round, pearl-white fruit with a mild, sweet flavor. This ornamental yet productive variety produces clusters of creamy-white tomatoes that ripen to a soft pale yellow or ivory color. It's prized by gardeners for its unique appearance and excellent taste, making it both a curiosity and a culinary delight.

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Example The Pearl timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant The Pearl
Around Apr 17

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

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

≈ 70 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum (8+ hours ideal for best flavor and productivity)

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Water: Consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches per week; deep watering once or twice weekly rather than frequent shallow watering. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 70-85 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Start seeds 0.25 inches deep; transplant so lowest leaves are buried (roots will form on buried stem)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost (2-3 inches worked in) Aged manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) Calcium (lime or gypsum to prevent blossom end rot)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9, but can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves developing below cotyledons; delicate green stems.

Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily), maintain soil moisture without waterlogging, keep temperature 65-75°F. Thin seedlings if overcrowded.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks after transplanting

Plant develops multiple sets of leaves, increasing in height and leaf surface area. Compact determinate growth habit becomes apparent.

Harden off seedlings before transplanting. Plant deep to encourage strong root system. Install stakes or cages early. Prune suckers if desired (optional for determinate types). Water deeply and consistently.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters; buds form along the main stem and branches. Plant reaches near full height for determinate type.

Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Provide balanced fertilizer; avoid excess nitrogen. Ensure good air circulation. Pollinate flowers if using shade cloth or indoors.

Fruiting & Development

3-4 weeks

Small green orbs develop where flowers were; fruits gradually enlarge to pea-sized then marble-sized pearl-white tomatoes in clusters.

Maintain even soil moisture to prevent cracking. Continue staking support as fruit weight increases. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer mid-season. Monitor for pests and diseases.

Maturation & Harvest

Ongoing until frost (4-8 weeks)

Fruits ripen from pale white-green to ivory or soft pale yellow color. Fruits become slightly soft when fully ripe. Plant may continue producing until frost.

Pick fruits when fully colored and slightly soft. Handle gently as fruit may bruise easily. Leave some fruit on vine for extended harvest. Stop heavy watering 1 week before frost to encourage ripening.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Carrots Marigold Borage Parsley Nasturtium Garlic Chives

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Kohlrabi Potato Other nightshades (pepper, eggplant) - to minimize disease spread

Common Pests

Hand-pick large caterpillars; encourage beneficial wasps; use spinosad if severe; plant companion flowers to attract parasitoid wasps
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; increase air circulation; remove heavily infested leaves
Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs with companion planting; reflective mulch
Increase humidity and water spray; neem oil spray; predatory mites; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer
Remove lower leaves as plant grows; ensure good air circulation; apply copper fungicide at first sign; mulch to prevent soil splash
Plant resistant varieties; remove infected leaves promptly; apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide; improve air drainage

Uses

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Fresh eating and garnish

Culinary

The Pearl's small size, mild sweetness, and pale color make it ideal for fresh eating as a snack, addition to salads, or unique garnish for dishes. The creamy white color adds visual interest to any plate. [source]

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Preservation and canning

Culinary

Due to their small, uniform size, The Pearl tomatoes can be preserved whole in jars for pickled tomatoes or added to mixed vegetable preserves. Their unique appearance makes them an attractive addition to preserved preparations. [source]

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Ornamental gardening

Household

The Pearl is as much ornamental as it is productive. The creamy-white fruits hanging in clusters make attractive focal points in vegetable gardens, containers, and mixed plantings. [source]

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Nutritional benefits

Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, The Pearl provides lycopene, vitamins C and K, and potassium. The pale color indicates different antioxidant profiles than red tomatoes, contributing to overall dietary diversity. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

The tomato flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing The Pearl helps support local pollinator populations while ensuring good fruit set in your garden. [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 fruits when fully colored to ivory or pale yellow and slightly yielding to gentle pressure. For best flavor, harvest in morning after dew has dried. The Pearl tomatoes ripen somewhat late in the season, so start seeds early or use transplants. Fruits can be left on vine to fully ripen or picked at color break and ripened indoors. Handle carefully as the skin may be delicate. Determinate type produces most fruit over 3-4 week period; remove vine before first frost to allow picked green fruits to ripen indoors.

Fun Facts

🌱 The Pearl is an heirloom variety that predates modern hybrid tomato breeding, preserving genetic diversity and traditional growing techniques passed down through generations of gardeners.
🌱 The unusual pale ivory or pearl-white color is due to the absence of lycopene accumulation, making these tomatoes visually unique while still providing other beneficial antioxidants and a sweet mild flavor.
🌱 Despite their delicate appearance, The Pearl tomatoes are determinate and productive plants that can yield 100+ small fruits in a single season, making them excellent for preserving and sharing with friends.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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