How to Grow Cherokee Purple Tomato

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Cherokee Purple Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'

vegetable

Cherokee Purple is a large, indeterminate heirloom tomato variety prized for its deep purple-brown color and rich, complex flavor. Known for its meaty texture and low seed count, it produces medium to large fruits that are excellent for slicing fresh or in sauces. This open-pollinated variety requires staking or caging and thrives in warm growing conditions.

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

Plant Cherokee Purple Tomato
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Cherokee Purple Tomato
Around Jul 1

≈ 75 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily (more is better for flavor)

💧

Water: Consistent watering, 1-2 inches per week; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base to avoid fungal disease; mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature.

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 75-85 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; plant transplants deeply, burying up to first true leaves to encourage root development

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite for drainage Bone meal for phosphorus Kelp meal for trace minerals

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Best in zones 5-9; can grow in zone 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

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves appearing 7-10 days after germination

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-75°F for optimal germination.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks indoors before transplanting

Plant develops sturdy stems and multiple sets of leaves; reaches 6-12 inches before transplanting

Harden off seedlings 7-10 days before planting. Transplant outdoors after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Space 24 inches apart. Install sturdy stakes or cages immediately.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Yellow flowers appear in clusters; plant continues growing vertically, reaching 4-6 feet or taller

Prune lower leaves once flowering begins to improve air circulation and reduce disease. Remove suckers (shoots between main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production. Continue consistent watering and apply mulch.

Fruiting

4-6 weeks per fruit

Golf ball-sized green fruits develop at flower clusters; gradually enlarge over 4-6 weeks, turning deep purple-brown when ripe

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excess foliage. Continue removing lower leaves for disease prevention. Support fruit-laden branches with twine or straps to prevent breakage. Water consistently to prevent cracking.

Harvest

6-10 weeks of continuous harvest

Fruits are fully ripe, showing deep purple-brown color with slight give when gently squeezed

Harvest when fully ripe for maximum flavor; tomatoes do not significantly improve post-harvest. Cut or gently twist from vine. Continue harvesting throughout season until first frost. Store at room temperature.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Carrot Onion Garlic Marigold Nasturtium Borage Cucumber Lettuce

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Dill Potatoes Walnut trees Corn

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars early morning or evening. Encourage parasitic wasps. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if infestation is severe.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs.
Increase humidity by misting. Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use neem oil or sulfur spray if needed. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
Caused by calcium deficiency; maintain consistent soil moisture. Apply crushed eggshells or gypsum to soil. Mulch heavily to regulate moisture.
Remove infected lower leaves immediately. Improve air circulation by pruning. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide or sulfur spray preventively.
Remove infected plant parts. Ensure good air circulation. Apply copper fungicide or Bacillus subtilis-based products. Avoid overhead watering.

Uses

🍳

Fresh slicing and gourmet cooking

Culinary

Cherokee Purple tomatoes are prized for their rich, complex flavor with subtle sweetness and umami notes. They are ideal for slicing fresh in salads, sandwiches, and serving with fresh mozzarella, and are excellent for salsas, gazpacho, and heirloom tomato showcases. [source]

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Sauce and processing

Culinary

The low seed count and meaty texture make Cherokee Purple excellent for making tomato sauces, marinara, and paste. The deep color imparts visual appeal to cooked dishes. [source]

💊

Nutritional and antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Rich in lycopene (a powerful antioxidant), vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Studies suggest lycopene may support heart health and reduce oxidative stress. [source]

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Seed saving and heirloom preservation

Household

As an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Cherokee Purple produces viable seeds that breed true. Gardeners can save seeds from ripe fruits to grow next season, preserving this historic cultivar. [source]

🎨

Ornamental and culinary gardening display

Craft

The dramatic purple-brown color and large fruits make Cherokee Purple a striking visual element in the garden. Many gardeners grow it as much for its appearance as for culinary use. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Wait until fruits are fully ripe and deep purple-brown with a slightly soft feel when gently squeezed. Harvest in early morning when temperatures are cool. Cherokee Purple tomatoes should be harvested ripe from the vine for best flavor; they do not improve much after picking. Cut the stem 1 inch above the fruit using clean pruners to avoid damaging the plant. Continue harvesting regularly to encourage more fruit production throughout the season. Store at room temperature (65-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate, as cold temperatures damage flavor and texture.

Fun Facts

🌱 Cherokee Purple is believed to have originated from the Cherokee Nation and was nearly lost to history until seed savers revived it in the 1990s, making it a significant conservation success story.
🌱 The deep purple-brown coloration comes from anthocyanins (the same compounds that make blueberries blue), which develop more intensely in hotter growing conditions and full sun exposure.
🌱 Despite its name, Cherokee Purple is technically not purple but rather a dark mahogany-brown color with purple undertones, and the coloration develops gradually as the tomato ripens.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Germination Heirloom Mulch Open-Pollinated Sucker Transplant True Leaves

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