Yellow Pear Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum (nightshade)

Also known as: Tomato


One of the oldest documented tomato varieties still grown today, cultivated in Europe as far back as the 1700s and formally recorded by biologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1805. It crossed to North America early, sold at the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver farm from 1825, and was one of only three tomato varieties recorded growing in the United States by 1847. Small, bright yellow, distinctly pear-shaped fruit with a slender neck hangs in generous clusters on tall, vigorous vines, with a mild, sweet, low-acid flavour that's made it a longtime favourite for fresh eating and preserves. Cold-tolerant for a tomato and remarkably reliable, it often keeps cropping later into the season than most. Indeterminate (climbing) variety — requires sturdy staking or caging.

Days to harvest 75–80 days from transplant
Fruit size Small, pear-shaped with a slender neck
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, but more cold-tolerant than most tomatoes

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun, open position with good air circulation. Suits a large pot from 30–40L with sturdy staking. A large, sprawling, hardy plant that rewards a bit of extra room.

Soil preparation: Fertile, well-drained soil, acidic to neutral pH, with compost or manure worked in well ahead of planting.

Support: Sturdy staking or caging essential, especially if suckers aren't pruned — vines grow tall and vigorous.

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

Harvest: Pick once fruit is bright yellow and firm. Fruit ripens in clusters at different times, giving a long, staggered harvest rather than one big flush.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 75–80 days after transplanting, with production often continuing later into the season than many other tomatoes.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated heirloom, documented since 1805
  • Among the oldest tomato varieties still in cultivation
  • Small, pear-shaped fruit with a distinctive neck
  • Bright yellow skin, mild sweet flavour
  • Tall, vigorous, disease-resistant vines
  • Cold-tolerant — often crops later 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. Its cold tolerance and long staggered harvest make it one of the better choices for extending the cherry tomato season at both ends.

  • 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


Cultivated in Europe since at least the 1700s and formally documented in 1805, Yellow Pear made its way to North America early, grown at the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver farm from 1825 and recorded as one of just three tomato varieties known to be grown in the United States by 1847. It has remained in continuous cultivation ever since, prized historically for preserves and today as a favourite heirloom for its history, shape, and reliable, mild sweetness.