How to Grow White Giant
Wikimedia Commons
White Giant
Solanum lycopersicum 'White Giant'
vegetableWhite Giant is an heirloom indeterminate tomato variety producing large, pale cream to white fruits with excellent flavor and low acid content. The plants are vigorous growers reaching 6-8 feet tall, making them ideal for gardeners seeking unique, flavorful slicing tomatoes with striking appearance.
When should you plant White Giant in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example White Giant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant White Giant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest White Giant
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact White Giant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9 as an annual; grow in warmer zones 9-10 for extended season
Sign up free to see if White Giant grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my White Giant timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with first true leaves emerging; cotyledons present
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), keep soil moist but not waterlogged, maintain 65-75°F temperature
Vegetative
4-6 weeksRapid stem and leaf growth; plant develops lateral branches and robust root system
Transplant when 2-3 sets of true leaves present; pinch suckers on indeterminate types; support with stakes or cages; continue consistent watering and fertilizing every 2-3 weeks
Flowering
3-4 weeksFirst flower clusters appear; flowers are small, yellow, and self-pollinating
Ensure adequate phosphorus; maintain consistent moisture to prevent flower drop; provide air circulation; hand-pollinate if needed by gently shaking plants
Fruiting
3-4 weeks per fruit clusterFruits develop from flowers, growing rapidly and changing from green to pale cream/white; fruits are large, typically 8-12 oz
Support branches with fruit weight; maintain steady watering to prevent cracking and blossom end rot; apply mulch to regulate soil moisture and temperature; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruiting
Harvest
Continuous through season until frostFruits reach full pale white/cream color and yield slightly to gentle pressure; flesh feels soft when ripe
Pick when fully colored or harvest at 'breaker stage' and ripen indoors; indeterminate types continue producing until frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick daily; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps and beneficial insects
-
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use reflective mulch; introduce parasitic wasps
-
Increase humidity; spray with water or neem oil; ensure adequate fertilization
-
Remove lower leaves; improve air circulation; apply copper fungicide; avoid overhead watering; mulch to prevent soil splash
-
Remove infected leaves; improve drainage and air circulation; apply sulfur-based fungicide; disinfect pruning tools
Uses
Fresh slicing and salads
CulinaryWhite Giant's large, meaty fruits are ideal for slicing in salads, sandwiches, and fresh dishes. The low acid content and mild, sweet flavor make it popular among those sensitive to tomato acidity. [source]
Heirloom tomato cooking
CulinaryCan be used in sauces, salsas, and soups, though its delicate flavor is best preserved in fresh applications. The pale flesh and skin make an attractive addition to white gazpacho. [source]
Ornamental garden feature
HouseholdThe striking pale white-cream fruits are visually distinctive in the garden and make attractive displays, combining productivity with aesthetic appeal. [source]
Lycopene and antioxidants
MedicinalWhile white tomatoes contain less lycopene than red varieties, they still provide valuable antioxidants including flavonoids. They are valued for their gentle, less acidic profile. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an heirloom indeterminate variety, White Giant is excellent for seed saving. Seeds can be fermented and dried for replanting in subsequent seasons. [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 and slightly soft to touch. White Giant can be harvested at the 'breaker stage' (when color just begins to show) and ripened indoors at room temperature (68-77°F) for up to 2 weeks. For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine. Indeterminate plants produce continuously until frost; pinch off new flowers 6-8 weeks before first expected frost to concentrate energy on ripening existing fruit.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 White Giant is a true heirloom variety prized by tomato enthusiasts for its unusual pale color, which comes from the absence of carotenoid pigments that create red coloring in standard tomatoes.
- 🌱 The low acid content of white tomatoes makes them especially appealing to people with acid reflux or sensitive digestive systems, often described as 'tummy-friendly' tomatoes.
- 🌱 White Giant can take several extra weeks to mature compared to red varieties, but the exceptional flavor and yield make it worth the patience—some gardeners consider it among the finest-tasting white tomato varieties available.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized White Giant planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start White Giant seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my White Giant timeline →