Black Cherry Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum (nightshade)


Part of the "black" tomato family that traces back to old varieties from the Crimean Peninsula, spread more widely after Crimean War soldiers carried seed home in the 1850s. This cherry-sized selection ripens into a distinctive dusky mahogany-brown with green shoulders, deepening further as it fully matures — small in size but carrying the same rich, smoky, low-acid complexity found in its larger black beefsteak cousins. Tall, vigorous, disease-resistant plants set generous clusters of fruit right through the season, making it as easy to grow as it is striking on the plate. Indeterminate (climbing) variety — requires sturdy staking.

Days to harvest 65–75 days from transplant
Fruit size Small, 2.5cm round
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 6–14 days at 24–29°C
Spacing 45–60cm apart
Aspect Full sun, well-drained soil
Frost tolerance Frost sensitive — needs reliably warm nights

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun, open position with good air circulation. Suits a large pot from 30–40L with staking. Vigorous and reliable, cropping heavily right through the season with minimal fuss.

Soil preparation: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter worked in.

Support: Sturdy staking or a trellis recommended — a tall climbing variety producing dense clusters of fruit all season.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply and consistently. Feed regularly with a potassium-rich fertiliser once flowering and fruiting begins.

Harvest: Pick once fruit has deepened to a rich mahogany-brown — green shoulders are normal and colour continues to deepen with full ripeness. Harvest often to keep production going.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 65–75 days after transplanting — one of the earlier tomatoes to crop, with continued heavy production through the season.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated, part of the "black" tomato family
  • Small, 2.5cm round cherry fruit
  • Distinctive mahogany-brown colour, green shoulders
  • Rich, smoky, sweet flavour with low acidity
  • Vigorous, disease-resistant, heavy-cropping plants
  • Excellent fresh — salads, snacking, or as a striking garnish

Short season tips


Sow 6–8 weeks before you want to plant out, on a heat mat if possible — soil needs to be 24–29°C to germinate reliably. Transplant only once all risk of frost has passed and nights are reliably mild. Its earlier maturity and vigorous, disease-resistant nature make it one of the more forgiving cherry tomatoes for a shorter growing season.

  • Spring
  • Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

  • Basil (classic tomato pairing) Marigolds Carrots Parsley
  • Other nightshades (capsicums, chillies, eggplants, potatoes) Fennel Corn


Part of the wider family of "black" tomatoes believed to originate from the Crimean Peninsula, with seed thought to have spread more widely after soldiers carried it home following the Crimean War in the 1850s. This cherry-fruited selection brings the same rich, smoky depth of flavour found in larger black tomato varieties into a smaller, prolific, easy-care package, and has become one of the most popular black cherry tomatoes grown by home gardeners today.