How to Grow Tigerella Tomato
Tigerella Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Tigerella'
vegetableTigerella is a striking heirloom tomato variety known for its distinctive orange-red fruits with dark red stripes, resembling a tiger's markings. The fruits are medium-sized, about 2-3 inches in diameter, with a sweet, tangy flavor and excellent complexity. This indeterminate variety is vigorous and productive, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking both beauty and taste.
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Example Tigerella Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tigerella 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 Tigerella Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in 3-4 as annual with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves; delicate and pale green
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights. Maintain 65-75°F temperature. Thin seedlings when first true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRapid stem elongation with increasingly larger compound leaves; plant develops robust root system and bushy structure
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Install sturdy stakes or cages early as indeterminate vines grow tall. Begin fertilizing weekly with balanced fertilizer once in ground. Pinch off lower leaves (up to first fruit cluster) after transplanting to improve airflow.
Flowering
2-3 weeksFirst flower clusters appear with yellow star-shaped flowers; plant typically 12-18 inches tall when first blooms emerge
Ensure consistent watering and calcium intake (through mulch or crushed eggshells) to prevent blossom end rot. Provide phosphorus-rich fertilizer (tomato-specific blend). Maintain good airflow through pruning of excess foliage. Avoid over-nitrogen to prevent excessive leafing at expense of fruit.
Fruiting & Growth
4-6 weeksGreen marble-sized fruits develop at flower clusters while plant continues flowering and growing upward; fruits gradually enlarge and change color to yellow, then orange with red stripes
Maintain consistent deep watering—irregular water causes splitting and cracking. Mulch heavily to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Support heavy fruit clusters with ties or slings. Continue removing lower foliage (up to lowest fruit) for disease prevention. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade cloth to prevent sunscald.
Harvest
8-12 weeks for continuous harvestFruits develop full tiger-stripe pattern with orange-red base color and deep red vertical stripes; fully ripe when slightly soft to gentle pressure
Harvest when fully colored and slightly yielding; can pick at 'breaker stage' (first blush of color) to ripen indoors away from cracking risk. Clip fruits with pruners rather than pulling to avoid damaging vines. Plant produces continuously until frost; in cooler zones, harvest remaining green fruits before first frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick large caterpillars early morning or dusk. Encourage parasitic wasps. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray on young caterpillars. Remove plant debris in fall.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use yellow sticky traps. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap on undersides of leaves every 7-10 days. Maintain good air circulation.
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Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity (mites prefer dry conditions). Spray with water or neem oil. Use miticide if severe. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Remove lower infected leaves promptly. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide or chlorothalonil starting at first sign. Mulch to prevent soil splash onto leaves.
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Remove entire affected plants immediately. Apply copper fungicide or mancozeb preventively in humid conditions. Ensure excellent drainage and air circulation. Space plants properly.
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Remove infected leaves and stems. Do not overhead water. Apply copper fungicide. Improve air circulation. Practice strict sanitation and remove plant debris.
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slicing
CulinaryTigerella's sweet, complex flavor and striking appearance make it ideal for fresh eating, caprese salads, and plating as an impressive garnish. The medium size and firm flesh hold up well to slicing. [source]
Sauce & Preserving
CulinaryHigh acid content and good flavor depth make Tigerella suitable for homemade tomato sauces, salsas, and canning. The striped fruits produce visually striking preserved products. [source]
Ornamental & Display
HouseholdThe striking tiger-stripe pattern makes Tigerella as beautiful as it is delicious, functioning as an ornamental specimen plant that also produces food. Popular for high-visibility garden displays and farmers markets. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with proven cardiovascular benefits. Heirloom varieties like Tigerella often contain higher micronutrient levels than commercial types. [source]
Seed Saving
CraftAs a true heirloom variety, Tigerella seeds breed true and can be saved for replanting, providing free seed supply year after year and connecting gardeners to agricultural heritage. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Tigerella tomatoes are ready to harvest when fully colored (orange-red base with deep red stripes) and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Typically fruits mature 70-85 days after transplanting. For best flavor, harvest in the morning after dew dries. Can be picked at the 'breaker stage' (first blush of orange color) and ripened indoors away from direct sun to prevent cracking. Tomatoes continue ripening off the vine. In cool climates, harvest all remaining fruits before the first frost, even if green; store in a cool, dark place (55-70°F) for ripening. Indeterminate varieties like Tigerella produce continuously throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tigerella originated in Germany and was developed by the Fedtro seed company in the 1970s, making it a relatively modern heirloom compared to centuries-old varieties.
- 🌱 The distinctive striped pattern develops due to a combination of yellow and red pigment genes; the stripes become more pronounced when the plant experiences slight temperature fluctuations between day and night.
- 🌱 Tigerella is an indeterminate variety, meaning it grows continuously as a vine throughout the season, potentially reaching 6-8 feet tall and producing fruit until frost—some gardeners report harvesting 100+ fruits per plant in favorable conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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