Campari

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Bursting with a glossy, candy-bright sweetness and a lively, tangy snap, Campari cherry tomatoes ripen to a rich scarlet that practically glows in the garden.

Their firm, juicy texture holds beautifully on the vine, delivering concentrated flavor in every bite—ideal for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and quick sauces that showcase their bright acidity. Grow Campari for a steady harvest of uniform, bite-size fruits that turn baskets into bouquets of color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Campari 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 13th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	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	Cage
Planting Depth	Deep
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Campari’s firm, glassy skins and high-tension sweet-tang balance are made for heat-light cooking—hit them hot for a minute or two and they keep their shape while releasing a punchy, glossy sauce. Skip heavy cream here; you want acidity and sweetness to stay in the driver’s seat.

Best Uses

grape-to-mouth snacking or blistered 2-minute pan quickies
tossed cherry-tomato salad where the skins stay intact and juicy
fast sautéed or smashed tomato jam for toast
rapid, bright pan sauce for shrimp or chicken that clings instead of watery-splits

Flavor Profile

candy-bright sweetness lively tangy snap firm, juicy bite with low pulpiness glossy, high-impact tomato acidity

Kitchen Pairings

garlic red onion fresh mozzarella balsamic vinegar olive oil black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Solanum lycopersicum (Campari tomato) and how do I manage it at home?

Early blight (Alternaria) shows up as dark, target-like spots on older leaves, which then yellow and drop. Remove and discard infected leaves, avoid wetting foliage, and water at the soil line; improve airflow by spacing plants and pruning lower leaves that touch the ground. If it’s spreading, use an approved fungicide labeled for tomatoes and begin treatment early after the first spots appear.

How often should I water Campari tomatoes during the main growing phase to prevent issues?

During active fruiting, keep soil evenly moist with about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and container size. Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than frequent light watering, and stop letting the soil dry out completely between cycles. Consistent moisture reduces blossom-end rot and helps prevent cracking.

How can I tell when Campari tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (bright red), firm but not hard, and easily detach from the vine with a gentle twist. If the shoulders are still green or the fruit is mostly pale, leave it a few more days in full sun. For peak sweetness, pick at full color and size around the typical 60-day maturity window from transplanting.