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.
Moreover, tomatoes are among the highest-yielding vegetables and the easiest for beginner gardeners to grow. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals [1].
Though there are many kinds of tomatoes that you can grow, this article focuses on heirloom varieties. With this in mind, enjoy this tomato variety list.
1. Egg Yolk
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Type: Indeterminate
As the name suggests, the egg yolk tomato produces egg-sized fruits. Moreover, the fruits are firm and keep 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 matures in 75 days.
Purchase egg yolk seeds online.
2. Ace 55
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Type: Determinate
The Ace 55 tomato type grows to about 3 to 4 feet. As such, it will likely need some plant support.
It is a low-acid variety and looks the closest to 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, juicy, and best eaten sliced in sandwiches or salads.
They mature in 85 days. However, due to the size of the fruits they produce, they require staking, a trellis, or caging.
Furthermore, there are different beefsteak tomatoes. You can find them in pink, yellow, or Ponderosa red.
Purchase beefsteak seeds online.
4. Big Rainbow
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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 has the classic taste that many gardeners are looking for. It matures in 80 to 85 days.
Purchase big rainbow seeds online.
5. Black Krim
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Type: Ind.
One of the best tomato varieties, Black Krim, 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 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, having excellent flavor, smooth flesh, and a soft texture.
They mature in approximately 90 days. Purchase Brandywine seeds online.
7. Calypso
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Type: Ind.
The Calypso tomato does well in humid climates and weighs between 6 and 8 oz. when mature.
These tomatoes are suitable replacements for your standard supermarket tomatoes and are some of the best for canning and freezing. They’re also 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
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Type: Ind.
Among the high-yield tomato varieties, Cherokee Purple produces fruit with a final weight between 6 and 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
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Type: Ind.
For beginner gardeners, cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest tomato plants. Moreover, you can get them in many more colors than the standard red.
The ones with white and chocolate colors are resistant to cracking, very sweet, and 1 inch in diameter. Black cherry tomatoes, however, are smaller at only half an inch and only take 65 days to mature.
They’re all sweet, and growing multiple colors can make for some impressive culinary creations. Moreover, all varieties are highly productive tomato plants.
Cherry tomatoes take 75 days to mature on average.
Purchase the seeds online.
11. Creole
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Type: Ind.
This one is smooth and glossy. Furthermore, it is a high-quality, delicious tomato that is heat-tolerant, so if you live in a hot area, this is the one for you.
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
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Type: Ind.
The Golden Sunray tomato produces large yellow fruits. Its meaty flesh and flavor make it perfect for salads and sauces.
Besides, its large size, impressive look, and versatile uses make it excellent for those who want to sell at farmers’ markets. They take between 75 and 80 days to mature.
Purchase golden sunray seeds online.
13. Green Grape
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Type: Ind.
One of the most popular is the green grape tomato, which is distinctive among the different types of tomatoes.
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
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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 many 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’ll receive a selection of bright, vibrant colors, a mix of sizes, shapes, flavor profiles, and various flavors.
Depending on the plant, these take between 80 and 90 days to mature.
Purchase Heritage Rainbow seeds online.
16. Jubilee
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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
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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
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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 used for salads and matures between 75 and 80 days.
Purchase Mr. Stripey seeds online.
19. Oxheart
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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
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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
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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.
Besides, they can produce all season long; maturity takes 80 to 90 days.
Purchase the seeds online.
22. Rio Grande
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Type: Det.
The Rio Grande tomato is an excellent choice if your area experiences large temperature fluctuations during the growing season. It can tolerate extreme temperatures.
Moreover, each plant is large and yields large amounts of fruit. Maturity takes between 75 and 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-small, bright red fruit.
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
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Type: Ind.
One of the best tomatoes for sauces, the San Marzano, is your classic Italian pick. This tomato variety is for you if you want to grow tomatoes for 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
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Type: Ind.
The Tigerella tomato is a beautiful red and orange-striped fruit that tends to grow to around supermarket size.
They have a rich, tangy flavor, produce high yields, and can be classified as “weird tomato varieties” because of their appearance. However, Tigerella matures up to three weeks before many others.
Furthermore, they’re very hardy outdoors and grow best when pruned. Maturity takes between 50 and 60 days.
Purchase the seeds online.
26. Tiny Tim
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Type: Det.
Tiny Tim is one of the best small tomatoes to grow in containers. The plant stays small and compact and produces 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
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Type: Det.
VR Moscow is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a classic flavor. The fruit is large, on average, between 3 and 4 inches.
It is also thick-walled, making it an excellent slicing tomato. 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, saving the seeds from year to year [2]. However, hybrids are a cross of two different tomato plants to get features from both parent plants [3].
Takeaway
Now that you know some unusual tomato types, consider your space, soil, weather, and intended uses when deciding which to add to your garden.
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