Black Cherry Tomato

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.