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The San Marzano Tomato

San Marzano tomatoes are plum tomatoes named for San Marzano sul Sarno, the small Italian town where they originated.  The volcanic soil conditions created by eruptions from Mount Vesuvius are credited with the taste the tomatoes are known for.

Considered the Gucci of canned tomatoes, San Marzanos carry a higher price tag than other Italian or domestically produced canned tomatoes.  Like other Italian luxuries (such as Gucci belts and handbags), San Marzano tomato fraud is rampant, with many “fakes” being passed off as the real deal in the US.

Keep reading to learn about this luxury tomato and why it’s nearly impossible to have genuine San Marzano tomatoes.

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History of the San Marzano Tomato

The San Marzano tomato first became popular around 1875.  Cans of these tomatoes from the Campania region in Italy between Naples and Salerno were highly sought after by chefs and home cooks. The incredible flavor and texture is what gave them their primo status.

A can of Cento brand San Marzano tomatoes.
Cento is a popular brand of San Marzano tomato sold in the US.

San Marzano tomatoes have a Protected Destination of Origin (abbreviated as DOP). It’s similar to the protected status of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar, Asiago cheese, and other Italian foods.  DOP is a way to guarantee authenticity that a food is what it claims to be. It didn’t take long for fake DOP labels to be placed on “San Marzano” tomatoes not from this region and the practice continues today.

Because of their DOP status, San Marzano tomatoes grown anywhere other than the Campania region in Italy aren’t true San Marzanos — only San Marzano-style tomatoes.  But don’t let that discourage you from growing them in your garden.


Characteristics of the San Marzano Tomato

The San Marzano tomato is an indeterminate variety that grows 6-8 feet tall and produces a high yield.  Fruit is bright red with an oblong shape that’s pointy at one end.  They’re longer and thinner than other plum tomatoes.  The tomatoes grow in clusters of 6-8 fruits and the vines need stakes or cages for support.

Ripening Season

A mid-season tomato.  Fruit ripens 75-85 days after transplanting and plants keeps producing until the first frost.

Tomato Qualities

Meaty fruit with fewer seeds than other plum tomatoes (2 seed pockets instead of 5).  The taste is a perfect balance of sweet and tart.

Closeup of a display of San Marzano tomato fruit.

Tomato Size

Small, 1-3 inches in length and weighing 4-6 ounces.


Planting Zones

Zones 5-10.  Starter plants are hard to find, so start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last spring frost. San Marzanos are ideal for small-space or patio gardens.

Closeup of a tray of tomato seedlings.

Size and Spacing

Plant tomatoes when the seedlings are 6 inches tall, spacing them 24-36 inches apart.  Plant with the lower 2/3 of the plant below ground and pinch off all but the top 2 sets of leaves.  Before planting San Marzanos, read the Soil section below about their phosphorus needs.

Pollination

Like most tomatoes, San Marzanos only need natural pollinators like honeybees, bumblebees, and wind.

Plant Care

San Marzanos do require specific care pertaining to nutrients and pinching/pruning. 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

6-8 hours of sunlight a day

Soil

Well-drained soil amended with compost  or manure.  To add phosphorus, sprinkle bone meal on the bottom of each planting hole.  Or you can place a small fish carcass at the bottom of the hole. 

Water

Too much water creates soggy soil that suffocates tomato roots and causes rot from fungal infections.  Provide an inch of water a week for your tomatoes. Keep the soil consistently moist by spreading a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your tomato plants, but keep the ground clear of mulch three inches around the base of the plant.

Closeup of a garden hose sprayer watering a young tomato plant.

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.

A San Marzano tomato plant with green fruit.
A San Marzano tomato plant with green fruit.

Disease

Verticillium and Fusarium wilt are the two biggest concerns for San Marzano tomatoes.  If these are a known problem in your garden’s soil, plant your San Marzanos in large containers with tomato-specific soil mix.

To learn how to detect, treat, and take steps to prevent diseases, read our tomato diseases guide. 

Pests

Tomatoes suffer a number of pests including aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, slugs, pill bugs, and rodents. Companion plants like marigolds, catnip, fennel, dill, basil, and cilantro repel common tomato pests. Netting helps keep out birds and larger pests, but can also interfere with beneficial insects and pollinators.

For information to help you spot, eliminate, and deter 15 different pests, visit our guide on common tomato pests.


When to Harvest San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano tomatoes will be ready for picking in August and harvesting will continue until the first frost in your area.  There will be about 100 fruits per plant, so plan on making frequent trips to your garden. Once picked, they’ll last 2-3 days at room temperature.

Three San Marzano tomatoes next to fresh basil leaves.

Common Uses For San Marzano Tomatoes

San Mazanos are used in all kinds of Italian cuisine.  It’s hard to get more Italian than this tomato.

A plate of Bucatini All'Amatriciana pasta made with San Marzano tomatoes.

What Does the San Marzano Tomato Taste Like?

Intense tomato flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Cooking

Sauces, pasta, pizza. If it’s Italian cooking that calls for tomatoes, San Marzanos won’t let you down.

Eating Raw

While much is made over using San Marzanos in cooked dishes, they’re also great in salads and salsas.

Canning / Freezing / Drying

San Marzano tomato plants are prolific producers, so you’ll probably need to preserve your harvest. These tomatoes do well for canning, freezing, and drying.

Recipe Ideas

Pizza made with slices of fresh San Marzano tomato.

There are countless tomato sauces featuring San Marzano tomatoes.  The one below is just one to start with.

San Marzano Tomato Sauce

Roasted San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano Penne Vodka

Homemade San Marzano Pizza Sauce

Cento San Marzano Bloody Mary


Health Benefits of San Marzano Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate. They’re also one of the best dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant credited with reducing the risks of heart disease and cancer.

Overhead view of a San Marzano tomato cut in half next to a whole tomato.

Where to Buy San Marzano Tomato Plants or Seeds

It’s possible to find garden centers that sell San Marzano tomatoes, or you can purchase seeds at the following online retailers:


Where to Buy San Marzano Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes labeled as “San Marzano tomatoes” are everywhere, but authentic Italian San Marzanos are rare (and expensive).  You’ll know them by the Pomodoro S. Marzano dellâ Agro Sarnese-Nocerino on the DOP label.  San Marzano-style tomatoes are the norm in US grocery stores and they’re also quite tasty.

Fresh San Marzanos can be purchased at Trader Joe’s, specialty grocery stores, online retailers, or at farmers markets.

Closeup of a box of San Marzano tomatoes.

Wrapping Up the San Marzano Tomato

Who knew there was so much drama and intrigue surrounding a canned tomato?  Hopefully this has made you curious enough to try some cans in your favorite Italian recipes to see what the fuss is all about (I certainly will).  You may find the taste motivates you to grow San Marzano tomatoes in your home garden (or rather, San Marzano-style tomatoes!).

Have an experience with growing San Marzano tomatoes or want to share a beloved San Marzano tomato recipe?  Leave a comment below!

Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!