Costoluto Genovese Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum (nightshade)


An old Italian heirloom from the Ligurian coast near Genoa, dating back to the early 1800s and once grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello from 1809. Its name translates roughly to "ribbed one from Genoa," and the fruit lives up to it — strikingly flattened, deeply fluted, scalloped tomatoes with glossy dark red skin. Meaty, richly flavoured flesh carries a bold, slightly tart edge that's a genuine standout for sauces and pastes, while still holding its own sliced fresh. Vigorous and reliable, it thrives through heat and keeps cropping well into cooler weather. Indeterminate (climbing) variety — requires sturdy staking.

Days to harvest 80–90 days from transplant
Fruit size 170–280g, flattened, deeply ribbed
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 6–14 days at 24–29°C
Spacing 60–90cm 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. Thrives in hot, dry conditions and continues cropping even as weather cools later in the season. Suits a large pot from 40L+ with sturdy staking

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

Support: Sturdy staking or a trellis essential — a vigorous climbing variety producing clusters of fruit all season.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply and consistently — inconsistent watering, especially after rain or heavy watering following a dry spell, is a common cause of splitting in this ribbed variety. Mulch well to even out soil moisture. Feed regularly with a potassium-rich fertiliser once flowering and fruiting begins.

Harvest: Pick once fruit is a rich, glossy red. The deep ribbing is natural to the variety, not a sign of a problem.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 80–90 days after transplanting, with fruit setting in clusters of four to six and continuing well into cooler autumn weather.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated Italian heirloom, dating to the early 1800s
  • Once grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello
  • Deeply ribbed, flattened, scalloped fruit, 170–280g
  • Bold, tangy, richly flavoured flesh
  • Excellent for sauces, pastes, and canning
  • Vigorous, thrives in heat, crops late into the season

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. Consistent watering from the start helps minimise the splitting this ribbed variety can be prone to later in the season.

  • Spring
  • Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

  • Basil (classic tomato pairing — and a natural culinary match) Marigolds Carrots Parsley
  • Other nightshades (capsicums, chillies, eggplants, potatoes) Fennel Corn


Originating from the Ligurian coast near Genoa in northwest Italy, Costoluto Genovese has been grown and passed down by Italian gardeners since at least the early 1800s. It found its way to America early, planted by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello starting in 1809, and remains a standard in Italian kitchens today for both fresh eating and preserving, prized for its bold flavour and distinctive fluted shape.