Cherokee Purple Tomato Seedlings
Certified Organic
Solanum lycopersicum
Let this opal, smoky tomato be the breakout star of your garden.
Now a much loved heirloom tomato, Cherokee Purple was once a little known, unnamed variety. In 1990, Craig LeHoullier, a Seed Saver's Exchange member and tomato connoisseur, received a small package of tomato seeds and a note from John Green of Tennessee. In his note John explained this variety had been given to him by his neighbors, who had received seeds from members of the Cherokee tribe 100 years prior. Craig grew it, savoring the flavor and the unique deep purple color. He thought it was worth sharing so he approached Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Johnny's Select Seeds about making it commercially available under the name Cherokee Purple–and an heirloom star was born!
If you're looking for that beautiful embodiment of an "heirloom tomato," look no further–Cherokee Purple is your dream tomato. A reddish fruit with stunning dark-colored shoulder-top striations or marbling, the Cherokee Purple also boasts legendary taste and heavy production. It's happily indeterminate and will give you tasty, massive fruit all summer long.
$4.69
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single seedling in 4" pot | $4.69 | Sold out for 2024 preorders. |
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost in a warm spot with ample light (supplemental light usually required). Transplant outdoors once frost has passed. Staking required. Prune tomatoes when they reach about 24" high.
| Days to Maturity | 80 days from transplant |
|---|---|
| Planting Depth | ½" |
| Height at Maturity | 60" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun |
Illustration by Bobbi Angell. Bobbi is a botanical illustrator who has worked for the New York Botanical Garden and the New York Times. To match the tones of this heirloom tomato, she used copper plate etching, which she hand tinted with watercolors.