Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
PickYourOwn.org - Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze!
Looking for Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden in 2024? Scroll down this page and follow the links. And if you bring home some fruit or vegetables and want to can, freeze, make jam, salsa or pickles, see this page for simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preserving directions . There are plenty of other related resources, click on the resources dropdown above. If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days .
If you have questions or feedback, please let me know ! There are affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure policy to learn more.
Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties for the Home Garden
Heirloom tomatoes are those old-time tomatoes, with a very rich, deep tomato flavor! Some varieties go back 150 years, with seeds being collected and kept every year! Some have disappeared, but many remain! This list are the best heirloom varieties for which you can still get seeds - plus links where to order the seeds online!
Summer is too brief to not have heirloom homegrown tomatoes. Whether you live in the suburbs, the city, a farm, stead, a farm, townhouse, condo or apartment... you can grow some tomatoes!.
Below is our master heirloom tomato list, certainly the most complete on the internet (if I've missed any - tell me)and send photos of your tomatoes!
And this page explains how to easily, inexpensively grow your own tomato plants from seed, for about 50 cents per plant ,
So scroll down to find your perfect homegrown tomatoes for this year's garden!
Where to buy the seeds
Click the name of the tomato in the Variety name column - if it is blue, that's a link to an online seller of the seeds. You can get more information, see photos, etc. I look for the best prices at the most reliable sellers and sources I can find, like Amazon, Burpee, etc. I use this list every year myself! And, in many cases, the se online prices are as good or better than local stores.
Plant growth
- Determinates bear a crop all at once and stop. Good if you're only planning to can some tomatoes, since you get a big crop all at once.
- Indeterminates keep growing and producing until frost, so they bear a much larger crop than determinant varieties.
Days to Harvest
This is a general estimate under best conditions of how many days after your transplant the seedlings into the garden or contain until you harvest the first tomato.
Tomato size
We've broken it down into the general size categories:
- Small - less than 7 ounces, usually a cherry or pear tomato for salads - Size of a marble up to a ping pong ball
- Medium - Usually a slicer or an early tomato 8 to 11 ounces, golf ball to tennis ball size
- Large - 11 to 15 ounces, almost a pound, tennis ball to almost baseball size
- Very large - over 1 lb, could be the size of a softball
Disease Resistance
See the table at the end of the table.
If your area gets frequent rains and it is hot and humid, you definitely need the disease resistant varieties.
Related Pages
- How to Grow Tomatoes in Your Yard or Patio - Everything you need to know
- Starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, broccoli, lettuce and other vegetables from seed
at 1/10 the price at Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart or the nursery - Tomato plant diseases - symptoms and what to do
- Master List / Guide to all tomato varieties
- Master list of paste / Roma canning tomatoes
- Master list of disease-resistant tomato varieties
Master List of Heirloom Tomato Varieties
Variety name (click for more info
and to purchase seeds)
and to purchase seeds)
Type
Color
Days to Harvest
Tomato size
<7 oz Small
8 - 11 Oz Medium
12 - 15 large
>15 Very large
<7 oz Small
8 - 11 Oz Medium
12 - 15 large
>15 Very large
Plant growth
Determinate or Indeterminate.
Determinate or Indeterminate.
Disease Resistance
- See abbrv key following this table
- See abbrv key following this table
Description, photos notes and other seed sources
Slicer
Red
75
Medium
Indeterminate
Delicious heirloom, dates back to 1923, first introduced by H.W. Buckbee Seed of Rockford, Illinois.
Beefsteak
Orange
85
Very large
Indeterminate
Large tomatoes up to 5 inches across and weighing up to 2 poundsSalad
Orange
80
Medium- large
Indeterminate
Beautiful 3 to 4" round and very productive.
Excellent tomato flavor, average 4 to 6 ounces each.
Beefsteak
Yellow with red
80
Medium
Indeterminate
4-inch,
1 lb., sweet, well-balanced
Beefsteak
Multi
85
Very Large
Indeterminate
Burpee
Big Rainbow
, also simply called "Rainbow" or Rainbow Beefsteak. Mild, sweet flavor, 1 lb to 2 lbs.Beefsteak
Red , dark, with black
80-90
Large
Indeterminate
rich, dark purple-black color and smoky, sweet flavor. Large, beefsteak-type tomatoes
Cherry
Red , dark, with black
70
Small
Indeterminate
Dusky brown, large grape-size fruit. Rich black tomato flavor. Prolific vines.
Beefsteak
Dark red
80
Large
Indeterminate
Dark red / black and dark green, 12 oz, rich flavor, much like a slightly larger Cherokee Purple, Burpee, Ferry-MorseBeefsteak
Chocolate-red
70
Large
Indeterminate
Flattened, ribbed big beefsteak tomatoes
Slicer
Red with black and green
75
Medium
Determinate
Medium sized fruits with brown-black skins and pink shoulders. Rich, tangy tomato flavor. A hardy Russian heirloom.
Cherry
Red with black and green
75
Small
Indeterminate
Sweet, slightly smokey flavor. 2-4 oz
Salad
Red with black and green
55
Small
Indeterminate
3-4 oz "cluster" tomato. Fruit are deep red in color and have a nice tomato flavor. Production is really good,
Brandywine
(pink)
Beefsteak
Pink
78
Very Large
Indeterminate
Burpee Brandywine Pink
. Simply incredible flavor. The only tomato that may beat its taste is Cherokee Purple.Beefsteak
Red
75-80
Very Large
Indeterminate
Burpee redder version of Brandywine. They also have a yellow version. All very similar.
Beefsteak
Pink
80
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
1-2 pound, globe-shaped, pleated, pink-red like Brandywine in popularity and flavor. One of the best known and best-tasting Russian
tomatoes.
Beefsteak
Orange
75
Large
Indeterminate
HR: TMV
AAS Winner. Earlier and more productive than most orange beefsteaks.
9 to 16 ounces
Beefsteak
Dark red
85
Large
Indeterminate
Cherry
Dark red / black
70
Small
Indeterminate
Dark, port-wine colored 1 inch round fruit.Cherry
Dark red / black
70
Small
Indeterminate
Dark, port-wine colored pear-shaped tomatoes with a very long season.
Cold Set
Slicer
Red
65
Large
Determinate
3-4 inch fruits.
Beefsteak
Red
80
Large
Indeterminate
Old very popular heirloom in Italy with flattened fruit with ribbing. Rich, flavorful, flesh.
Slicer
Pink / red
85
Large
Indeterminate
Large pinkish-red oxheart, 4" tomatoes. Italian Heirloom.
also used for saucesPaste
Red
85
Medium
Indeterminate
moderately disease resistant.
Italian heirloom , ribbed pear-shaped fruit,
ox-heart type from the Ligurian coast town of Albenga, Italy. They have meaty centers and narrow seed cavities and dense flesh making
them great for flavourful sauces. Weigh up to 200 grams.Paste
Paste
60
Small
Indeterminate
(Also called Debarao). 3-4 oz., oval , for snacking, sauces and salads.
Slicer
Red
77
Very Large
Determinate
Cherry
Chocolate red
75
Indeterminate
2 oz. fruits with rich flavor. for fresh, sauces, pastes and canning.
Beefsteak
Red
75
Large
Indeterminate
8-18 oz fruit, with vertical ribs. Great fresh with few seeds.
Cherry
Red
65
Small
Indeterminate
Old time favorite cherry tomato, popular in England... where it is considered a big tomato!Beefsteak
Pink
80
Large
Indeterminate
1 lb, some up to 2 lbs,
Sweet, meaty, few seeds from Germany.
Beefsteak
Red
85
Very large
Indeterminate
Originated in Ohio in the 1930s. Great size and flavor, can weigh up to 5 pounds, 2 lbs is common, 3 to 5 inches across. SeedsNSuch
Salad
Orange
72
Medium
Indeterminate
Mild flavor, low acidity, 2 1/2"-3" fruits 6 to 7 oz. a
Cherry
Green-yellow
70
Small
Indeterminate
Oval striped yellow and green with a green interior. Sweet, juicy, tropical flavor.
Salad
Green-yellow
75
Medium
Indeterminate
Green skin with mottled gold streaks. 1 ½” - 2 ½”
Beefsteak
Red with yellow
85
Large
Indeterminate
Bi-color 1 pound heavy producer.Slicer
Red
85
Very large
Indeterminate
Large reddish-pink oxheart fruits often 1 lb or more and firm and meaty. For paste, canning or fresh use.
Indigo Cherry Drops
Cherry
red with black-purple
65
Small
Indeterminate
1" to1 ¼" fruits,
Indigo Rose
Cherry
purple-red
75
Small
Indeterminate
1-2 oz. high in anthocyanin
Isis Candy
Cherry
shades of reds to yellows, usually with golden flesh
67
Small
Indeterminate
Round 1" fruits.
Slicer
Bright, golden-orange
80
Small
Indeterminate
Good disease resistance
AAS Winner. , 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, average 6 to 8 ozKoralik
Cherry
Red
61
Small
Determinate
Round cherry tomato
Slicer
Pink-brown with metallic green stripes.
70
Large
Indeterminate
Flattened, medium, beefsteak fruit.
Large Red Cherry
Cherry
Red
80
Small
Indeterminate
1"-1¼”-diameter
Salad
Red
75
Medium
Determinate
Good disease resistance
First released in 1925, it has 8-10 oz globe-shaped
fruit.
Minibel
Cherry
Red
65
Small
Determinate
Plants are only a foot high Excellent choice for containers.
Beefsteak
Pink-Red
80
Very Large
Indeterminate
Up to 4 lb.; average 2 1/2 lb. Dates back to the 1930's. There's a story about a man, "Radiator Charlie", who grew this tomato during the Depression sold them from his
truck and paid off his
mortgage, hence the name "Mortgage Lifter", Also sold by Burpee
Mortgage Lifter
Salad
Red with yellow stripes
65
Small
Indeterminate
Huge crops of small to medium sized 1.5"
to 2" tomatoesSlicer
Red
78
Medium
Indeterminate
flattened round, medium-sized, 8-1/2 oz. and 2-1/2 to 3
Slicer
Pink
75
Medium-large
Indeterminate
8 to 16 oz. ribbed, flattened shape, Heavy yielder.
Nova
Plum
Red
65
Small
Determinate
Beefsteak
Orange
75
Very Large
Indeterminate
Salad
Red
70
Small
Determinate
V
Early variety 3-5 oz Almost
seedless which makes them great for ketchup and sauces.
Peron
Cherry
Red
70
Small
Semi-Determinate
Fairly disease resistant. 3-6 oz,.
Slicer
Dark pink with green stripes
70
Large
Indeterminate
Excellent Heirloom flavor. 8-12 oz fruits.Beefsteak
Pink
80
Very Large
Indeterminate
Very large Polish heirloom
Beefsteak
Red
80
Very Large
Indeterminate
True heirloom, introduced in 1891 by Peter Henderson, big 1 to 2 lb flattened, lobed beefsteak
with a deep, rich old time heirloom tomato flavor. Also sold by SeedsNSuch
Beefsteak
Red
80
Very Large
Indeterminate
A very large 1 to 2 lbs heirloom, also sold by Burpee.
Beefsteak
Pink
72
Very Large
Indeterminate
16 oz tomato, ribbed with excellent flavor.
Red Pear
Salad
Red
75
Small
Indeterminate
pear-shaped , good for canning and pickling. 2 long fruit
Paste
Red
76
Small
Determinate
Moderate disease resistance
Red, pear-shaped fruits that are nice and meaty, with very few seeds. Well-known paste-type tomato, perfect for sauces, pastes and ketchup.Slicer
Red
80
Small
Determinate
An Italian heirloom. Striking deep red, ribbed fruits weigh up to 6 oz. and have firm, meaty flesh. Thin skin bruises easily, so fruits should be
handled with care. Perfect for sauces and pastes.
Slicer
Red
70
Medium
Indeterminate
Old standby, said to be used by Campbell's Soups in NJ for their tomato soups
San Marzano Gigante
Plum
Red
70
Small
Determinate
Italian tomato aka Gran Merito. 2-4 oz
Sean's Yellow
Slicer
Yellow
70
Small
Indeterminate
6-8 oz. Fruit, plants are 2-3 ft tall, great for small spaces and containers.
Sebastopol
Cherry
Red
75
Small
Indeterminate
Large 3/4" heirloom red cherry.
Stupice
Salad
Red
52
Medium
Indeterminate
2-3 inch fruits. Very sweet, and Cold-tolerant
Slicer
Yellow
75
Large
Indeterminate
F1, V
Like Jubilee with strong Fusarium Wilt resistance.
Slicer
Red
80
Very large
Indeterminate
Improved beefsteak with larger yields and larger tomatoes. Burpee
Sweetie
Cherry
Red
70
Small
Indeterminate
Very sweet cherry
Tasty Pink Beefsteak
Slicer
Pink-Red
75
Very large
Indeterminate
16 to 20 oz. but go up to 3 pounds
Taxi
Salad
Yellow
70
medium
Determinate
4-6 oz
Plum
Red
75
Medium
Determinate
Paste-type, elongated, pointed, 5"-6" fruits, up to 3 oz, heirloom from Naples, Italy. .
Salad
Red with yellow stripes
65
Small
Indeterminate
Huge crops of 1½”-2" tomatoesSalad
Chocolate red
75
Small
Indeterminate
2-3 ounce, small, round, and firm with green/red stripes and a very dark interior and have fairly thick walls
Salad
Green
75
Small
Indeterminate
2 to 3 oz. green fruits with dark green stripes. .
Plum
Red
75
Small
Indeterminate
F2, V, N, A, B
3-4 oz red Roma tomatoes. Great for
paste, sauce, salsa, tomato soup, and ketchup; and for canning and freezing.
Woodle Orange
Slicer
Orange
70
Large
Indeterminate
Rich and sweet complex flavor.
Slicer
Yellow-red
90
Large
Indeterminate
Yellow version of Brandywine. 6 inch, flattened fruit t
Slicer
Red
85
Large
Indeterminate
Mexican heirloom. Deeply ribbed, pink/red fruits up to 4"/1 lb,
How to save money and grow better tomatoes
Start you own tomatoes from seed! See https://www.pickyourown.org/how-to-start-vegetables-from-seed.php
This year the Bonnie plants at Home Depot, Lowes and Wal-Mart are selling for around $5 PER PLANT. That is INSANE! With my method you can grow your own for around 50- cents per plant!
You can also choose tastier and more disease resistant varieties. IT is SO easy - when you know these tips and tricks. See this page
Tomato disease abbreviations
Disease Resistance Abbreviations
SC
Alternaria Stem Canker
EB
Early Blight (Alternaria solani)
AB
Early Blight (Alternaria solani)
CR
Crack Resistance
F1
Fusarium Wilt Race 1
F2
Fusarium Wilt Races 1 and 2
F3
Fusarium Wilt Races 0, 1, and 2
HR
High Resistance
MR
Medium Resistance
LB
Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans)
LM
Leaf Mold
N
Nematodes
St/L
Stemphylium (Gray Leaf Spot)
TMV
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
ToANV
Tomato Apex Necrotic Virus
ToMV
Tomato Mosaic Virus (Strains 0, 1, and 2)
TSWV
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus
TYLCV
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
V
Verticillium Wilt
Tomato disease descriptions and what to do
See this page for Tomato diseases, their symptoms and what to do
References and more information
- Tomato Diseases and Disorders in the Home Garden from Penn State Extension
- Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden Rutgers Cooperative Extension
- Growing Tomatoes Univ. of Maryland Extension
- Organic Gardening from the NC Extension Gardener Handbook
- Vegetable Gardening: a Beginner’s Guide NCSU AG-12
- Growing Tomatoes in Containers by Penn State Extension
- Excluding and Repelling Problem Wildlife from the Garden U of Mass, Amherst
- Epsom Salts: Miracle, Myth, or Marketing? WSU Extension PDF
- Soil Temperature Maps and interactive tools by location
- Watering the Vegetable Garden from Clemson
- Nematode Assay Forms and Information
Prepping tomatoes
Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners
)
- How to can tomatoes using a water bath canner - W
- Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
- Bruschetta - W
- Tomato sauce - W
- Tomato paste - W
- Barbecue sauce (BBQ sauce) - W
- Chili sauce from your own tomatoes and peppers - W
- Diced, chopped or crushed tomatoes - W
- Tomato Preserves - W
- Tomato salsa - W
- Spaghetti sauce - without meat - W, P
- Spiced Green tomatoes - W
- Pickled Green Tomatoes - W - another pickled green tomato recipe, this one sweet
- Ketchup.. or if you prefer... How to make catsup - W, P
- NEW! SUPER-EASY homemade ketchup recipe - W
- Salsa from your unripe, GREEN tomatoes! - W
- Tomatillo salsa - W
- How to make roasted tomatoes, boiling water bath canner version - W
Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners
- Canned tomatoes using a Pressure Canner - P
- NEW! Baked Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce - P
- Canning your own chili con carne (with meat) - P
- How to make roasted tomatoes, pressure canner version - P
- Spaghetti sauce - with meat - P
- Stewed tomatoes - P
- Tomato soup or tomato-basil soup - P
- Tomato sauce - P
- Tomato juice - P
- Tomato juice, like V8 - P
Freezing Tomatoes
- How to freeze tomatoes from you garden or the farm; for that fresh taste this winter!
- Space-saving prepping and freezing extra tomatoes from your garden to can later
Drying tomatoes
Looking for canning equipment and supplies?
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
Find Other types of farms:
- Easter egg hunts
- Children's consignment sales
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Road trips and camping resources
- Local Honey , apiaries, beekeepers
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Consumer fraud and scams information
- Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
- Maple Syrup Farms , sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
- Environmental information and resources
- Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
- Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes
- Christmas Tree Farms and lots
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book of Home Canning
Find other types of farms:
- Easter egg hunts
- Children's consignment sales
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Local Honey
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Road trip and camping
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes
- Christmas Tree Farms and lots
- Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
Highly rated canning supplies:
- Regular Mouth Canning Lids
with food-grade with BPA Free Silicone seals for Ball, Kerr Jars for Canning
- Canning accessories kit:
funnel, jar tongs, lid lifter, etc
- Food Dehydrator,
400W Electric with 8 Trays, 48 hour Timer and Temperature Control 95-176℉, BPA-Free
- Water Bath Canner,
21 Qts with lid, Jar Rack, Speckled Black, cans 7 quart jars, 9 pint jars or 13 half-pint jars
- Air Fryer: Instant Pot Instant Vortex Plus
XL 8QT Clear Windows, Custom Programming, 8-in-1
fruit dehydrator, Crisps, Broils, Roasts, Bakes, Reheats
- Pressure canner:
All American 921, 21.5qt Pressure Cooker/Canner, never needs gaskets, Great for Gas, Electric or Flat Top Stoves - Made in the USA
- The Backyard Homestead:
a guide to homesteading , on 1/4 acre, how to raise grains and vegetables; raise animals for meat, eggs, and dairy; and keep honey bees
- HEPA Air Purifiers for Home, Large Rooms for Allergies, Smoke, Pets. QUIET, Eliminates 99.97% of Dust, Pet Hair, Odors
