Black cherry tomatoes are strikingly dark-colored. Their beautiful burgundy skin, as well as their flavor, sets them apart from many other kinds of tomatoes. You can add these unique tomatoes to your recipes for a pop of unexpected color.
If you’re looking for a slightly exotic addition to your garden that adds visual interest and unique flavor to your food, then keep reading to learn more about this tomato variety,
History of the Black Cherry Tomato
Many darker-colored tomato varieties actually originated in Russia. Though the precise history of this purplish-black cherry tomato variety is unknown, it is likely that it came from that country as well.
Characteristics of the Black Cherry Tomato
Ripening Season
Black cherry tomatoes ripen during the hottest summer months.
Tomato qualities
With a lower acidity level than many other tomatoes, the black cherry tomato has a sweet, smokey flavor.
Tomato size
Full-grown black cherry tomatoes reach about 1.5 inches in length.
Planting Zones
The black cherry tomato grows well in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Size and Spacing
Black cherry tomato plants reach a height of five feet and a width of about four feet. These plants require a support structure to keep them upright. A tomato plant stake or cage will do the job. Plants should be spaced about thirty-six inches apart so that they have plenty of room to grow without robbing each other of needed sunlight and soil nutrients.
Pollination
Black cherry tomatoes are open-pollinated plants. Open-pollination refers to plants which sprout from seeds that are the result of natural pollination of the parent plant. This means that even though self-pollination can occur to a small extent, pollinators such as birds and bees are also required for pollination to be successful.
Plant Care
The following sections will provide highlights about tomato care. For a complete guide on optimal tomato plant care, from planting to harvesting and storage, please check out our article on How To Grow Tomatoes: The Complete Guide For the Best Tomatoes.
Sunlight
Cherry tomatoes prefer full sunlight, which is 6+ hours a day.
Soil
Moist soil is most ideal for tomatoes.
Water
Cherry tomato plants should be watered every two or three days to keep the soil nice and moist, which is the environment they grow best in. In the hottest months in warmer climates, you may need to water every day.
Fertilizer
Tomatoes require specific nutrients (such as calcium) to produce their best crops of fruit. To learn how to determine what your tomatoes need and when they need it, consult our ultimate tomato fertilizer guide.
Pruning/Pinching
Pruning and pinching are a tomato care technique that can help your tomato put forth its best yield. But you need to know when to do this and what tomatoes need it. To help you with this, visit our pruning tomatoes guide..
Disease
Black cherry tomatoes are resistant to fusarium wilt race 1, gray leaf spot, and leaf mold. This means that they are unlikely to be negatively affected by exposure to these diseases.
Blossom End Rot
One unfortunate disease that black cherry tomatoes are susceptible to is blossom end rot. This is a condition in which the plant hasn’t been able to absorb enough calcium from the soil. As this happens, the fruit begins to rot from the bottom up.
Proper mulching can help prevent this problem. When mulched, the soil is better able to retain the right amount of moisture and is less likely to cause an imbalance in plant nutrients.
Monitoring the pH and nitrogen levels of your soil is also a good idea, as imbalances in these can also encourage blossom rot to take place.
Flower Drop
Also referred to as “blossom drop,” this disease occurs because of non-ideal temperatures. When the temperature rises above 75F or drops below 55F, there is a good chance that the flowers on your tomato plant will fall off their stems.
This can also happen as a result of insect infestation, nitrogen imbalance, or lack of pollination.
While you can’t control the temperature, you can add fertilizers to the soil to strengthen the plant and give it it’s best chance of survival. You can also add insecticides to discourage insects from feeding on your plants. And to encourage pollination, you can introduce plants like milkweed and cosmos which will draw pollinating organisms to the area.
To learn how to detect, treat, and take steps to prevent diseases, read our tomato diseases guide.
Pests
Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects that thrive on tomato plants and can usually be found on the undersides of leaves, though they are very small and therefore difficult to see. They weaken plants and stunt growth. Sometimes their presence can even cause misshapening of leaves and stems.
Tomato Horn Worms
These bright green or vibrant blue caterpillars have a pointed, hardened growth on one end resembling a tail. They are the larvae of a kind of moth, and tomato plants are the preferred host organism for their growth. Tiny hatchlings will devour an entire leaf overnight. They grow quickly enough that a handful of them could dispatch your entire tomato plant if you don’t remove and dispose of them as soon as possible. Inspect your plants for these pests regularly.
When to Harvest Black Cherry Tomatoes
Black cherry tomatoes require 64 days to grow to the point that the tomato fruits are ripe enough to pick. Even these tomatoes start out green, so you’ll know when it’s time to pick them by their dark burgundy color. Tomatoes ready to be eaten will also be firm to the touch.
For information to help you spot, eliminate, and deter 15 different pests, visit our guide on common tomato pests.
Common Uses For Black Cherry Tomatoes
What Does This Tomato Taste Like?
The black cherry tomato has a rich, sweet flavor. It tastes best if left out at room temperature rather than refrigerated.
Cooking
Black cherry tomatoes add both a delicious flavor and an unusual dark color to dishes. They can be cooked into various tomato sauces, tomato-related soups, shish kebabs, and casseroles.
Eating raw
Black cherry tomatoes are nutritious and delicious fresh off the plant. There is no need to cook them in order to make them safe to eat and make a lovely addition to salads.
Canning / Freezing / Drying
All of these options work effectively to preserve black cherry tomatoes.
Recipe Ideas
For a sweet and spicy way to use your Black Cherry tomatoes, try this recipe for Peach Salsa on our website. For an entree, here’s a pasta sauce recipe that features these flavorful tomatoes.
Health Benefits of Black Cherry Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an excellent source of nutrients such as dietary fiber, minerals, anti-oxidants, phyto-chemicals, and vitamins.
Where to Buy Black Cherry Tomato Plants or Seeds
Black cherry tomato seeds can be purchased from a variety of places, evenAmazon.com.
To purchase black cherry tomato plants, check with your local farmer’s markets and garden stores.
Where to Buy Black Cherry Tomatoes
Most grocery stores don’t carry Black Cherry tomatoes, especially not year round. The best place to find them would be at your local farmer’s market.
Wrapping Up the Black Cherry Tomato
These sweet, richly-flavored tomato brings both its deliciousness and it’s gorgeous color to the table. We hope you’ll enjoy your experience with this remarkable tomato! Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!
