Black Zebra

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your fork into Black Zebra’s dramatic, smoky-sweet slices—deep mahogany-red flesh threaded with bold, near-black striping that looks as striking as it tastes.

The texture is firm yet juicy, with a balanced, lightly tangy bite that shines in fresh salads and makes a stunning showpiece for sliced platters. For gardeners who love character, this 85-day slicing tomato delivers rich color, confident performance, and an unforgettable visual harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Determinate

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Black Zebra 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – 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	85
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Zebra’s near-black striping comes with a darker, smokier sweetness and a firm, juicy slice—great when you want the tomato to hold its shape. It’s the kind of slicing tomato that doesn’t need disguise: salt, good olive oil, and a light tang keep it sharp instead of muted.

Best Uses

thick slicing for platters where the dark striping can stand up to table light
raw salads with minimal dressing so the smoky-sweet bite stays loud
open-faced sandwiches or burgers where the flesh won’t collapse into wet mush
quick pan sauces or blistered tomato toppings that reduce without turning flat

Flavor Profile

smoky-sweet, dark-fruit tomato flavor firm yet juicy slice with a lightly tangy bite noticeable earthiness that reads more complex than classic reds

Kitchen Pairings

sea salt and flaky salt balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella arugula olive oil grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage early blight on Black Zebra tomatoes (typical fruiting/leaf disease problem)?

Watch for dark, target-like spots on older leaves and spreading yellowing, especially in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves immediately, then spray with a copper-based fungicide and repeat according to the label during active risk periods. Keep plants spaced and water at the base to reduce leaf wetness, because early blight spreads quickly when foliage stays damp.

How often should I water Black Zebra during the main growing phase (from transplant to fruiting)?

During active fruiting (about mid-season), keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and rain. Water deeply 1–3 times per week rather than daily sprinkles, and stop once the top few inches are moist and the soil doesn’t dry out too fast. Avoid letting the soil swing from dry to soggy, since Black Zebra tomatoes are prone to cracking and blossom-end rot under irregular moisture.

What are the best signs that Black Zebra tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruits are fully colored—deep, striping “zebra” markings with a glossy skin—and give slightly under gentle pressure. Count on about 85 days from sowing/transplant timing, but don’t rely on days alone: if shoulders still look pale or the skin feels firm and matte, wait a few more days. Pick regularly as they ripen to keep the plant producing.