Sasha CampbellThere are different types of tomatoes for nearly every garden type. You can expect a good harvest if you prepare the soil and manage common pests and diseases that affect tomato plants.
Tomatoes are one of the highest-yielding vegetables. They’re also easy for beginner gardeners to grow.
Though there are many kinds of tomatoes that you can grow, this article focuses on heirloom varieties. With this in mind, please enjoy our list of tomato varieties.
1. Egg Yolk
Type: Indeterminate
As the name suggests, the egg yolk tomato produces egg-sized fruits. Moreover, the fruits are firm and retain their quality well.
Additionally, it is an unusually heavy-bearing variety, so if you are looking for a prolific tomato, this might be the type for you. On average, it takes approximately 75 days for the plant to mature.
Purchase egg yolk seeds online.
2. Ace 55
Type: Determinate
The Ace 55 tomato type grows to about 3 to 4 feet.
It is a low-acid variety and resembles your standard supermarket kind. However, it produces medium-sized fruits that are best for eating fresh.
Maturity takes 80 days.
Purchase Ace 55 seeds online.
3. Yellow Beefsteak
Type: Ind.
Otherwise known as round or slicing tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes are among the meatiest. They can grow up to 2 pounds.
Additionally, they are large and juicy, best eaten sliced in sandwiches or salads.
They mature in 85 days. However, because their fruits are large, they require staking, a trellis, or caging to support them.
Furthermore, there are various beefsteak tomatoes. You can find them in pink, yellow, or Ponderosa red.
Purchase beefsteak seeds online.
4. Big Rainbow
Type: Ind.
The Big Rainbow is a classic heirloom tomato characterized by its large, multicolored fruit. Like the Beefsteak, it produces big fruits weighing over 2 pounds.
It also boasts the classic taste many gardeners seek. It matures in 80-85 days.
Purchase big rainbow seeds online.
5. Black Krim
Picture via Noire de Crimée aka Black Krim” by Conall (conall.) on Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license (some rights reserved).
Type: Ind.
One of the best tomato varieties is Black Krim. It is a fancy beefsteak variety with a striking red-black exterior and a red-green interior.
Moreover, it is very sweet, so if you are looking for a gourmet tomato that will impress your guests, this is for you. It takes 75 to 80 days for the plant to mature.
Purchase Black Krim seeds online.
6. Brandywine
Type: Ind.
The Brandywine is a special tomato among the beefsteak varieties. It comes in pink and yellow.
However, pink Brandywine varieties are slightly larger, with fruits growing up to 1 pound. Brandywine is also one of the tastiest tomatoes, boasting excellent flavor, smooth flesh, and a soft texture.
They mature in approximately 90 days. Purchase Brandywine seeds online.
7. Calypso
Type: Ind.
The Calypso tomato thrives in humid climates and typically weighs 6 to 8 oz. when fully mature.
These tomatoes make excellent substitutes for typical supermarket tomatoes. They are also great for canning and freezing.
Additionally, they’re easy to grow and mature in 85 days.
Purchase Calypso seeds online.
8. Caribe
Type: Det.
Caribe is one of the best tomatoes for growing in containers and tight spaces.
It produces a very compact plant that produces 8-ounce fruits. It does well in both dry and humid climates. Maturity takes 85 days.
Purchase Caribe seeds online.
9. Cherokee Purple
Image “Tomate (Noire Charbonneuse) Cl J Weber03” by Jean Weber, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia.
Type: Ind.
Among the high-yield tomatoes, Cherokee Purple produces fruit weighing 6 to 12 ounces.
When mature, the fruit is a deep purplish-pink and highly flavorful. However, it takes an average of 90 days to mature.
Purchase Cherokee Purple seeds online.
10. Cherry
Image “Cherry Tomatoes” by Revital Salomon, licensed under CC BY‑SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
For beginner gardeners, cherry tomatoes are among the easiest tomato varieties. Moreover, they are very common and are available in a wide range of colors, not just the standard red.
The ones with white and chocolate colors are resistant to cracking, sweet, and 1 inch in diameter. Black cherry tomatoes, however, are smaller, measuring only half an inch, and mature in 65 days.
They’re all sweet, and growing multiple colors can make for some impressive culinary creations. Moreover, all cherry tomato plants are highly productive.
Cherry tomatoes typically take 75 days to mature.
Purchase the seeds online.
11. Creole
Image “New Orleans Farmers Market Uptown Aug 2011 Creole Tomatoes” (cropped) by Infrogmation of New Orleans, licensed under CC BY‑SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
This one is smooth and glossy. Furthermore, it is a high-quality, delicious tomato that is heat-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for those living in hot areas.
It takes 70 days to mature.
Purchase Creole seeds online, or you can find the plants for sale at a local gardening store.
12. Golden Sunray
Image “Physalis peruviana fruits close-up” by Ivar Leidus, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
The Golden Sunray tomato produces large yellow fruits. Its meaty flesh and flavor make it perfect for salads and sauces.
Its big size, bold appearance, and versatile uses make it a top pick for farmers’ markets.
They take 75 to 80 days to mature.
Purchase golden sunray seeds online.
13. Green Grape
Type: Ind.
One of the popular tomatoes is the green grape tomato.
When mature, they stay green, making them a nice addition to many culinary creations or a fantastic base for green ketchup.
Additionally, they grow in clusters of 6 to 8 fruits. So, if you’re looking for unusual tomato varieties to plant this growing season, they take 70 days to mature.
Purchase green grape tomato seeds online.
14. Green Striped Zebra
Type: Semi-Determinate
Among the best tomatoes for salads or salsas, the Green Striped Zebra stays green when mature. However, these average 3 ounces per fruit and have a striking, striped appearance.
They are great for a variety of uses, from salads and snacks to sandwiches and pickling. They mature in 75 to 80 days.
Purchase green-striped zebra seeds online.
15. Heritage Rainbow Mix
Type: Ind.
Do you want to grow beefsteaks but don’t know which ones to choose? A mix like the Heritage Rainbow Mix could be for you.
In one package, you will receive a selection of bright, vibrant colors and flavor profiles.
Depending on the plant, these take between 80 and 90 days to mature.
Purchase Heritage Rainbow seeds online.
16. Jubilee
Type: Ind.
The Jubilee is a yellow, low-acid tomato with a meaty texture and high levels of vitamins A and C.
Additionally, Jubilee tomatoes have a high yield, are easy to grow, and do well in many growing areas. Maturity takes 75 to 80 days.
Purchase the seeds online.
17. Mortgage Lifter
Type: Ind.
The Mortgage Lifter is a large beefsteak tomato that can grow up to 2 pounds.
Moreover, they have a rich flavor and turn a deep pink color if left to ripen on the vine. Maturity takes 70 days.
Purchase Mortgage Lifter seeds online.
18. Mr. Stripey
Photo: Balkoncontent Tomatensorte Tigerella by Waithamai, licensed under CC BY‑4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
Mr. Stripey is an excellent choice if you’re looking for low-acid and sweet tomatoes. Expect high yields.
Mr. Stripey is best suited for salads and matures in 75-80 days.
Purchase Mr. Stripey seeds online.
19. Oxheart
Image – Oxheart tomato by PetrOlly on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0. Image has been cropped. See the original photo.
Type: Ind.
The Oxheart is named for the beautiful heart shape of the fruit. For that reason, it makes a stunning addition to sandwiches, salads, and other dishes.
You can get them in pink, orange, and yellow. They all share a lovely shape, a meaty texture, and a delicious flavor.
All colors take 90 days to reach maturity.
Purchase Oxheart seeds online.
20. Pear
Image – Yellow Pear tomato by cygnus921 on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
Type: Ind.
The pear tomato is perfect for making sauces or canning your crops. It grows in clusters and is shaped like a pear.
They also come in red and yellow varieties. Maturation takes 75 days, regardless of the color you choose.
Purchase the seeds online.
21. Pineapple
Image: “Solanales – Solanum lycopersicum – 43” (cropped) by Emőke Dénes, licensed under CC BY‑SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
The pineapple tomato is an excellent option if you’re looking for massive tomatoes. The fruit can grow up to 2 pounds and is striped yellow and red inside and out.
Additionally, they can bear fruit throughout the entire season. Maturity typically takes 80 to 90 days.
Purchase the seeds online.
22. Rio Grande
Image via SeedsNow.
Type: Det.
The Rio Grande tomato works well in areas with large temperature swings during the growing season. It can tolerate extreme temperatures.
Moreover, each plant is large and yields abundant fruit. Maturity takes 75 to 80 days.
Purchase Rio Grande seeds online.
23. Rutgers
Type: Ind.
The Rutgers tomato is another suitable replacement for your standard supermarket choice. These vine tomatoes produce high yields of medium to small, bright red fruits.
They are versatile and suitable for cooking, canning, and making a paste. On average, they take 80 days to reach maturity.
Purchase Rutgers seeds online.
24. San Marzano
Image “Tomate San Marzano” (cropped) by Goldlocki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Type: Ind.
One of the best tomatoes for sauces, the San Marzano, is your classic Italian choice.
This tomato variety is ideal for those who want to grow tomatoes for use in marinara, Bolognese, or other classic Italian dishes.
Each fruit will be about 3 ½ inches long and red when fully mature. Maturity takes 85 days.
Purchase San Marzano seeds online.
25. Tigerella
Image via SeedsNow.
Type: Ind.
The Tigerella tomato is a striking fruit, featuring red and orange stripes. It typically grows to the size of supermarket tomatoes.
They have a rich, tangy flavor, produce high yields, and can be classified as “weird tomato varieties” due to their unusual appearance. However, Tigerella matures up to three weeks before many others.
Furthermore, they’re very hardy outdoors and grow best when pruned. Maturity takes 50-60 days.
Purchase the seeds online.
26. Tiny Tim
Image via SeedsNow.
Type: Det.
Tiny Tim is one of the best small tomatoes for container gardening. The plant remains small and compact, producing fruits between ¾ and 1 inch in diameter when mature.
Besides, the plant reaches a maximum height of 12 inches and doesn’t require staking. So, if all you have is a windowsill, you can grow Tiny Tim.
Maturity takes only 45 days.
Purchase Tiny Tim seeds online.
27. VR Moscow
Image via SeedsNow.
Type: Det.
VR Moscow is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a classic flavor. The fruit is large, averaging 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
It is also thick-walled, making it an excellent choice for slicing tomatoes. Maturity takes 80 days.
Purchase VR Moscow seeds online.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate
Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain point and then stop. The fruits also ripen during the same period.
On the other hand, indeterminate tomato plants grow very tall and will generally require stakes, a trellis, or a cage. They continue to grow and produce fruit for as long as your growing season lasts.
Heirloom vs. Hybrid
Heirloom tomatoes are passed down from generation to generation, with seeds saved from year to year [1]. However, hybrids are crosses between two different tomato plants that inherit traits from both parents [2].
Takeaway
Now that you’ve learned about some unusual tomato types, consider your space, soil, weather, and how you want to use them. This will help you choose the best ones for your garden.
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