Heirloom tomatoes are “pure” in the sense that they are not the result of a deliberate cross between two different varieties. They are valued for their flavor, appearance, and the fact that they have adapted well to their native region.
So, what are the heirloom tomato varieties you should know about? You can find Italian and Spanish heirloom tomatoes, among others. You can also find red, pink, yellow, green, purple, and black heirloom tomatoes. Some heirloom tomatoes are fast maturing (early), and some are determinate. Check out the lists below to learn more and find one that you like!
Of course, there are many varieties of heirloom tomatoes – far too many to list them all here.
In this article, we’ll give some details on heirloom tomatoes from some countries (such as Italy, France, and Spain). We’ll also look at heirloom tomatoes of various colors, from red to black.
Let’s get started.
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30+ Heirloom Tomato Varieties
Heirloom tomatoes have unique flavor, interesting shapes, and they are often well-adapted to their environment. They hail from many countries of origin and have many different colors as well.
Let’s start off with some Italian heirloom tomato varieties.
Italian Heirloom Tomato Varieties
If you are looking for Italian heirloom tomato varieties, you might like these:
- Blue Beech – this indeterminate heirloom paste tomato is great for canning. It produces long, large fruit (weighing 8 to 10 ounces) and takes 82 days to reach maturity. It is also adapted to northern climates. It was brought to Vermont from Italy during the days of World War II. You can learn more about Blue Beech tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/blue-beech-organic-tomato-seed-3412G.html#q=blue%2Bbeech&lang=en_US&start=1
- Cesare’s Canestrino Di Lucca – this heirloom paste tomato is great for canning. It produces large fruit and takes 90 days to reach maturity. It comes from Lucca, Italy. You can learn more about Cesare’s Canestrino Di Lucca tomatoes from Hudson Valley Seed Company. https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/products/cesares-canestrino-di-lucca-tomato?variant=31209223389229¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-01-14&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs4mkz_OQ9gIVfGxvBB0aeAUbEAQYAyABEgIeEPD_BwE
- Cipolla’s Pride – this indeterminate heirloom paste tomato is also great for canning. It produces large fruit (weighing 10 to 16 ounces) and takes 82 days to reach maturity. It was brought to Brooklyn, NY from Sicily in 1906. You can learn more about Cipolla’s Pride tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/cipollas-pride-organic-tomato-seed-4180G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Costoluto Genovese – this heirloom tomato is flat and great for slicing or preserving. It produces large fruit and takes 70 to 80 days to reach maturity. It is well-regarded in Italy and in the U.S. alike, having been around since the early 19th century. You can learn more about Costoluto Genovese tomatoes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/costoluto-genovese-tomato?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjr7mhu2Q9gIVMm1vBB0o2w3OEAQYBCABEgKEc_D_BwE
- Gezahnte – this semi-hollow heirloom tomato is large with big ridges, giving it a distinct appearance. It produces medium (up to 6 ounces) fruit and takes 80 days to reach maturity. It is from Naples, Italy. You can learn more about Gezahnte tomatoes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/gezahnte-tomato?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs6nU-_GQ9gIVj21vBB1hqw16EAQYASABEgJFCfD_BwE
- Mrs. Maxwell’s – this indeterminate beefsteak heirloom tomato is large and great for slicing or preserving. It produces large fruit (1 pound!) and takes 69 days to reach maturity. The seeds for this variety are from Italy and were given to Mrs. Maxwell years ago. You can learn more about Mrs. Maxwell’s tomatoes from Seeds N’ Such. https://seedsnsuch.com/products/mrs-maxwells-big-italian-heirloom-tomato-seeds?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjr7mhu2Q9gIVMm1vBB0o2w3OEAQYBSABEgLeHPD_BwE
- San Marzano II – this indeterminate heirloom paste tomato is great for canning. It produces medium fruit (4 to 6 ounces) and it takes 78 days to reach maturity. This variety comes from Parma, Italy where it was developed in the 1950’s. You can learn more about San Marzano II tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/san-marzano-ii-organic-tomato-seed-3405G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
Spanish & Mexican Heirloom Tomato Varieties
If you are looking for Spanish heirloom tomato varieties, you might like these:
- Dominico – this indeterminate beefsteak heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces huge fruit (1 to 2 pounds!) and takes 82 days to reach maturity. This variety traveled from Spain to Toulouse, France in 1939 and eventually made its way to the U.S. You can learn more about Dominico tomatoes from TomatoFest. https://www.tomatofest.com/Dominico_Heirloom_Tomato_p/tf-0125m.htm
- Matt’s Wild Cherry – this indeterminate heirloom cherry tomato is great for snacking. It produces small (5 grams), sweet red fruit and it takes 60 days to reach maturity. This variety came to the University of Maine from Hidalgo in Eastern Mexico. You can learn more about Matt’s Wild Cherry tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/matts-wild-cherry-tomato-seed-732.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Pink Monserrat – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces big reddish pink fruit and takes 76 days to reach maturity. This variety is from Catalonia, Spain. You can learn more about Pink Monserrat tomatoes from TomatoFest. https://www.tomatofest.com/Pink_Monserrat_p/tf-0387.htm
- Valencia – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (8 to 10 ounces) yellow fruit and it takes 75 to 80 days to reach maturity. This variety came to Maine from Spain. You can learn more about Valencia tomatoes from Annie’s Heirloom Seeds. https://www.anniesheirloomseeds.com/organic-valencia-tomato-solanum-lycopersicum-indeterminate/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-q60faQ9gIVJGpvBB3wfwNeEAQYAiABEgJ7dPD_BwE
Red & Pink Heirloom Tomato Varieties
- Amish Paste – this indeterminate heirloom plum tomato is great for making sauce. It produces large (8 to 12 ounces) red fruit and it takes 85 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Amish Paste tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/amish-paste-organic-tomato-seed-3817G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Brandywine – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (over 1 pound!) deep pink fruit and it takes 78 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Brandywine tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/brandywine-organic-tomato-seed-2845.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- German Johnson – this indeterminate heirloom Brandywine-type tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (8 to 16 ounces) pink fruit and it takes 75 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about German Johnson tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/german-johnson-organic-tomato-seed-3815G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Glacier – this determinate heirloom tomato is great for snacking. It produces tiny (1 to 2 ounces) red fruit and it takes just 55 days (8 weeks!) to reach maturity. You can learn more about German Johnson tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/glacier-organic-tomato-seed-3750G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Moskvich – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for snacking. It produces medium (4 to 6 ounces) deep red fruit and it takes 60 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Moskvich tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/moskvich-organic-tomato-seed-756.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Nepal – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (10 to 12 ounces) bright red fruit and it takes 78 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Nepal tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/nepal-organic-tomato-seed-748.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Speckled Roman – this indeterminate heirloom plum tomato is great for making sauce. It produces medium (6 to 8 ounces) bright red fruit with yellow streaks, and it takes 85 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Speckled Roman tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/speckled-roman-organic-tomato-seed-3816G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
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Yellow Heirloom Tomato Varieties
If you are looking for yellow heirloom tomato varieties, you might like these:
- Dr Wyche’s – this heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (1 pound or more!) yellowish-orange fruit and it takes 80 days to reach maturity. It comes from Dr. Wyche, who once owned a circus. You can learn more about Dr. Wyche’s tomatoes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/dr-wyche-s-yellow?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsrWj1_iQ9gIVDXNvBB2hcg3OEAQYASABEgIeYPD_BwE
- Striped German – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (12 ounces or more) yellow and red fruit, and it takes 78 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Striped German tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/striped-german-organic-tomato-seed-2372.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Yellow Brandywine – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (10 ounces or more) yellowish orange fruit, and it takes 78 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Yellow Brandywine tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/yellow-brandywine-organic-tomato-seed-714.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
Green Heirloom Tomato Varieties
If you are looking for green heirloom tomato varieties, you might like these:
- Aunt Ruby’s German Green – this heirloom beefsteak tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (1 pound or more!) green fruit, and it takes 85 days to reach maturity. This variety comes from Germany. You can learn more about Aunt Ruby’s German Green tomatoes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/aunt-ruby-s-german-green?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0NqexvmQ9gIVRW5vBB0O_Q8DEAQYAyABEgIyKvD_BwE
- Cherokee Green – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (8 ounces or more) green fruit with some yellowish-orange stripes, and it takes 72 days to reach maturity. This variety comes from the Cherokee Purple variety. You can learn more about Cherokee Green tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/cherokee-green-organic-tomato-seed-821G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Green Giant – this heirloom tomato is great for slicing or salads. It produces large (1 pound or more!), sweet, emerald green fruit with few seeds, and it takes 85 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Green Giant tomatoes from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/green-giant-tomato?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0NqexvmQ9gIVRW5vBB0O_Q8DEAQYBSABEgL3tfD_BwE
- Green Zebra – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for snacking. It produces small (3 to 4 ounce) green fruit with some yellow stripes, and it takes 72 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Green Zebra tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/green-zebra-organic-tomato-seed-2276.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
Purple & Black Heirloom Tomato Varieties
If you are looking for dark-looking purple or black heirloom tomato varieties, you might like these:
- Black Krim – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (8 to 16 ounce) reddish brown fruit with greenish brown shoulders, and it takes 80 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Black Krim tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/black-krim-organic-tomato-seed-3814G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Black Prince – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for snacking. It produces small (3 to 5 ounce) reddish brown fruit, and it takes 74 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Black Prince tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/black-prince-organic-tomato-seed-2971G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Carbon – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (10 to 14 ounce) reddish purple fruit, and it takes 76 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Carbon tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/carbon-organic-tomato-seed-3763G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Cherokee Purple – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (8 to 12 ounce) reddish purple and pink fruit with dark shoulders, and it takes 72 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Cherokee Purple tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/cherokee-purple-organic-tomato-seed-753G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Japanese Black Trifele – this indeterminate heirloom tomato is great for snacking. It produces medium (4 to 6 ounce) dusky red fruit (harvest with green shoulders), and it takes 74 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Japanese Black Trifele tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/japanese-black-trifele-organic-tomato-seed-2795G.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
- Pruden’s Purple – this indeterminate heirloom Brandywine-type tomato is great for slicing. It produces large (up to 1 pound or more!) dark pink fruit, and it takes 67 days to reach maturity. You can learn more about Pruden’s Purple tomatoes from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/heirloom-tomatoes/prudens-purple-organic-tomato-seed-712.html?cgid=heirloom-tomatoes#sz=23&start=1
Conclusion
Now you have a good list of heirloom tomato varieties of various colors and origins. You also know how long they take to mature and where to find them.
You can learn more about heirloom tomatoes here.
You can learn the difference between organic and heirloom seeds here.
You can learn all about when to plant tomato seeds here.
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