Grosse Lisse Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum (nightshade)

Also known as: Trophy Tomato

An old-fashioned heirloom first bred in the United States in the 1860s, later introduced to England as "Trophy" and to Australia, where it became one of the most beloved backyard tomatoes in the country — so thoroughly adopted that many gardeners assume it's a true Australian heirloom. Its name, roughly translating to "large and smooth," describes the fruit perfectly: big, globe-shaped, and deep red, with meaty flesh and that classic, old-fashioned sweet tomato flavour many newer varieties have lost. A generous, reliable cropper over a long season, equally good sliced fresh, in salads, or cooked into sauces. Indeterminate (climbing) variety — requires staking.



Days to harvest 80–90 days from transplant
Fruit size 150–350g, globe-shaped
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 7–13 days at 21–27°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. Avoid planting where tomatoes or other nightshades have grown in the previous year or two to reduce disease build-up. Or
suits a large pot from 40L+ with sturdy staking

Soil preparation: Rich, well-drained soil, ideally manured for a previous crop. Maintain a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

Support: Sturdy staking or a trellis essential — this is a vigorous climbing variety that will keep growing and cropping all season.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply at the base rather than overhead, to reduce fungal issues. Feed regularly with a potassium-rich fertiliser once flowering and fruiting begins. Mulch well to retain moisture.

Harvest: Pick as fruit ripens to full red for best flavour. Regular picking encourages continued production across the season.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 80–90 days after transplanting, with continued heavy cropping over a long season.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated heirloom, bred in the USA in the 1860s
  • Large, globe-shaped fruit, 150–350g
  • Classic sweet, bold, old-fashioned tomato flavour
  • Meaty flesh, excellent for slicing and cooking
  • Long, heavy-cropping season
  • An enduring Australian backyard favourite

Short season tips

Sow 6–8 weeks before you want to plant out, on a heat mat if possible — tomatoes love warm soil, ideally 16–24°C, and will sulk in anything colder. Transplant only once all risk of frost has passed and nights are reliably mild. Regular side-shoot pruning to a couple of leading stems improves airflow and can encourage larger fruit.



  • 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

Despite its strong association with Australian backyards, Grosse Lisse was actually bred in the United States in the 1860s before making its way to England (where it's known as "Trophy") and then to Australia with early settlers. It became so deeply woven into Australian home gardening culture over the following century that it's now widely — if mistakenly — thought of as a true Australian heirloom.