Black Sweet Cherry

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sink your senses into Black Sweet Cherry’s velvety, near-black fruit—an alluring mahogany-chestnut glow that ripens to a glossy, jewel-like sheen.

Each bite delivers a sweet, fruit-forward burst with a crisp, tender snap and a rich, lingering savor that shines in fresh salads and vibrant salsa, and stands up beautifully for roasting and quick pickling. Compact, productive plants bring a steady harvest of petite cherries from early summer through the heart of the season—ideal for gardeners who want bold flavor in a small, easy-to-grow package.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Black Sweet Cherry

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 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	Cage
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 cherry tomatoes lean sweet and fruit-forward, so they taste best when you let them stay lively—think sharp dressing, fast chopping, and high heat for caramelized edges. Their crisp-tender snap won’t collapse in salsa, and their color holds beautifully in quick pickles.

Best Uses

fresh salad handfuls where they keep their snap
bright salsa that needs fruitiness and a quick, clean finish
roasting on a hot sheet for jammy edges without turning grainy
quick pickling for candy-like acidity and color

Flavor Profile

sweet, fruit-forward tomato flavor crisp-tender snap with juicy bite near-dark, smoky-sweet savor slick, glossy skin with a satisfying chew

Kitchen Pairings

garlic shallot olive oil balsamic vinegar feta cheese fresh mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage brown rot on black sweet cherry trees?

Brown rot on cherries shows up as fuzzy gray-brown spores on rotting fruit, often after wet, humid weather. Remove and destroy infected fruit (including “mummies”) as soon as you see them, then thin canopy/weed to improve airflow so fruit dries quickly after rain. For home control, apply a labeled fungicide for stone fruit at early bloom and again per label timing, especially before rainy spells.

How often should I water black sweet cherry during the main growing phase?

During the main growing and fruit-fill period, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming to keep the root zone evenly moist (not soggy). Use a slow soak until the soil 8–12 inches down is moist, and reduce frequency if the site stays wet—cherries are sensitive to waterlogging. Stop increasing water right before harvest to limit fruit splitting, and let the top 1–2 inches dry slightly between soaks.

When are black sweet cherries ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is fully dark (black to near-black) and sweet, with the flesh pulling away easily from the pit when you bite or cut one open. Cherries should taste fully sweet—not tart—and fruit will come off with a gentle twist; if they still taste sharp or stay reddish, wait a few more days. Typical home timing is about 60 days from planting/start of growth, but always rely on color and flavor first.