Black Cherry

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into Black Cherry’s glossy, inky fruit—small, perfectly round tomatoes that ripen to a dramatic mahogany-black with a subtle cherry-red blush at the shoulders.

Expect sweet, balanced flavor with a juicy snap and a tender skin that feels almost lacquered in the hand. Ideal for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and striking roasted or blistered pan favorites where their dark color turns richly caramelized and irresistible.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Determinate

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	8

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Cherry earns its dramatic color by bringing a sweet, juicy pop and a skin that stays tender even after high heat. Use it where you want that blistered mahogany caramel on the outside while the inside stays wet and snappy.

Best Uses

snack-and-sail: bowl them out and eat them cold for maximum juice-and-snap
toss into salads where they keep their shape and won’t feel watery under vinaigrette
blister or roast on a hot pan until blistered and jammy, letting the mahogany edges caramelize
quick pan “toss” with olive oil and salt so the skins stay silky, not leathery

Flavor Profile

sweet, balanced tomato fruitiness juicy snap with a tender, lacquer-like skin dark, slightly smoky-sweet caramel notes when heat-kissed

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella black pepper anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease problem is most common when growing black cherry and how do I fix it?

Black cherry seedlings and young plants are commonly hit by damping-off caused by overly wet, fungus-laden soil (often seen as stems collapsing at the soil line). Sow in sterile seed-starting mix, keep the mix evenly moist but not soggy, and water from the bottom so the stem stays dry. If you see collapse, remove affected seedlings immediately and increase airflow; consider switching to a fresh tray of mix and re-sowing if losses are heavy.

How often should I water black cherry during its main growing phase to avoid problems?

During active growth (after seedlings establish), keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged—aim for top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In full sun, this often means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and heat, with deeper watering so moisture reaches the root zone. If leaves wilt midday but recover by evening, water lightly more often; if leaves stay wilted, increase the volume of each watering and improve drainage.

How can I tell when black cherry is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit turns fully dark (nearly black) and the cherries are slightly soft to the touch with a sweet, rich flavor. For fresh eating, pick fruit that comes off the stem with minimal tugging; if they remain firm or taste sharply tart, wait a few more days. The plant should be producing steadily around about 60 days from germination (timing varies with temperature), so check clusters every 2–3 days once color darkens.