Black Cherry Tomato

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Black Cherry Tomato to a garden.

Sink your senses into Black Cherry Tomato’s glossy, dark fruit—an alluring near-black mahogany that ripens to a sweet, complex flavor with a bright, tangy lift.

Bite into the firm, juicy flesh for a satisfyingly crisp pop, ideal for fresh snacking and vibrant market-style bowls. Grow this 60-day cherry for abundant clusters that look as rich as they taste, turning patios and beds into a living harvest of deep, jewel-toned tomatoes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Black Cherry Tomato

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Black Cherry Tomato Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 6th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Indeterminate
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These near-black cherries bring a sweet, wine-tinged flavor with a clean tang, and their firmer flesh keeps its structure when tossed while still delivering that juicy, crisp pop. They’re at their best in fast heat or raw folding—anything slow will mute the snap and flatten the bright lift.

Best Uses

straight-from-the-bowl snacking where they stay snappy
cut-and-fold salads that need a glossy, high-water burst
quick blistering in a hot pan to release juices without turning to jam
burst-then-emulsify sauce for pasta (fast reduction, not long simmer)

Flavor Profile

sweet, winey complexity bright tangy lift firm, crisp-tender bite with juicy pop glossy, near-black mahogany sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

sea salt balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil garlic fresh mozzarella burrata

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my black cherry tomato leaves getting yellow spots and turning brown, and how do I fix it?

This pattern is often early blight (Alternaria): look for brown spots that may form concentric rings on older leaves, starting low on the plant. Remove and discard the worst affected leaves, then spray a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and repeat according to the label (especially after rain or heavy dew). Water at the soil line to keep foliage dry and avoid crowding so air moves through the canopy.

How often should I water black cherry tomatoes during the main fruiting phase (after flowering starts)?

In warm weather, water deeply about 2–3 times per week, aiming for evenly moist soil—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total from rainfall and irrigation. Check by pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the soil: if it’s dry at that depth, water; if it’s still moist, wait. Keep moisture consistent to reduce blossom-end rot and fruit cracking in these small, fast-swelling cherries.

How can I tell when black cherry tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored—dark, near-black or deep mahogany with a slight sheen—and they detach with a gentle twist. Taste one: ripe black cherry tomatoes should be sweet with a mild tang and no green, tart bite. Don’t wait for them to shrivel; overripe cherry types can split and soften quickly.