How to Grow Tomato Cherokee Purple
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Tomato Cherokee Purple
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'
vegetableCherokee Purple is a heirloom tomato variety prized for its rich, complex flavor and distinctive dark purple-brown coloring. These large, beefsteak-type tomatoes are indeterminate plants that continue growing throughout the season, producing medium to large fruits (10-14 oz) with few seeds. Known as one of the most flavorful tomato varieties, Cherokee Purple has become a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.
When should you plant Tomato Cherokee Purple in your zone?
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Example Tomato Cherokee Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tomato Cherokee Purple
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 Tomato Cherokee Purple
Around Jul 6≈ 80 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tomato Cherokee Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging. Cotyledons (seed leaves) present initially.
Maintain warmth (70-75°F), provide bright light 14-16 hours daily, water gently to keep soil moist but not waterlogged, avoid cold drafts.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks (in garden until flowering begins)Rapid stem and leaf development. Plants grow 6-12 inches tall with multiple sets of true leaves. No flowers yet.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting. Space properly for air circulation. Begin staking or caging. Feed weekly with balanced fertilizer. Pinch off lower leaves as plants grow.
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flower clusters appear in leaf axils. Flowers are small, self-pollinating, and develop into green marble-sized fruit.
Ensure consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot. Maintain adequate phosphorus and calcium. Pollinate by gently shaking plants mid-morning. Remove lower leaves for better air circulation.
Fruiting
3-4 weeksFruits grow to mature size. Skin color changes from green to light green, then begins darkening. Characteristic dark purple-brown coloring develops.
Water consistently and deeply. Apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Continue removing lower foliage. Monitor for pests and diseases. Support heavy fruit with slings if needed.
Harvest
6-8 weeks of regular harvestFruits reach full size (10-14 oz) and display deep purple-brown coloring with some green shoulders. Interior is rich burgundy.
Pick when fully colored but still slightly soft. Fruit continues ripening off the vine. Remove damaged or diseased fruit immediately. Continue harvesting until frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick daily, encourage parasitic wasps, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, maintain habitat for natural predators
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, reflective mulch, neem oil
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Increase humidity with misting, spray with neem oil or sulfur, remove heavily infested leaves
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Remove infected lower leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide, mulch to prevent spore splash
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Remove infected tissue immediately, improve air circulation, avoid wet foliage, apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide, plant disease-resistant varieties nearby
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Remove infected leaves, ensure adequate spacing, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide spray, sanitize tools between plants
Uses
Fresh eating and slicing
CulinaryCherokee Purple tomatoes are renowned for their rich, complex flavor with subtle smoky and sweet notes. They are ideal for fresh slicing in salads, sandwiches, and caprese dishes. [source]
Sauces and cooking
CulinaryThe meaty texture and balanced acidity make Cherokee Purple excellent for cooked tomato sauces, salsas, soups, and stews. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalRich in lycopene, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, Cherokee Purple tomatoes support heart health, immune function, and antioxidant protection. [source]
Food preservation
HouseholdCan be canned, frozen, or dried for long-term storage and use throughout the year in various culinary applications. [source]
Heirloom seed saving
CraftAs an heirloom variety, Cherokee Purple produces viable seeds that can be saved for next season's planting, maintaining genetic diversity and traditional gardening practices. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits are fully colored (deep purple-brown) and slightly soft to gentle pressure. Cherokee Purple can be picked at the mature green stage and will ripen indoors in 3-5 days in a warm location. For best flavor, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine. Pick regularly to encourage continued flowering. Use a twisting motion or clean knife to detach fruits from the stem.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cherokee Purple was believed to have been grown by Cherokee Nation people and nearly disappeared in the 1970s until seed savers rescued and propagated it, making it a symbol of heirloom vegetable preservation.
- 🌱 The distinctive dark purple-brown color comes from high anthocyanin content, the same antioxidant pigment found in blueberries and red wine.
- 🌱 Cherokee Purple gained celebrity status in the early 2000s when featured in the 'Heirloom Tomato' food movement, becoming one of the most sought-after tomato varieties by home gardeners and gourmet chefs.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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