Chocolate Sprinkles

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Sweetly fragrant, with a dark “chocolate” blush that ripens to near-burgundy brilliance, Chocolate Sprinkles cherry tomatoes burst with a candy-like pop and a silky, juicy bite.

Their petite, perfectly round fruits hang in clusters on vigorous plants, offering a delightful balance of bright sweetness and gentle tang. Grow them for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and striking color in salsas and quick pickling—little jewels that make every bowl look garden-fresh and abundant.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Determinate

Botanical illustration of Chocolate Sprinkles

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	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

These cherry tomatoes bring a dessert-adjacent sweetness with juicy, spoonable flesh, so you want fast handling—cut, dress, and serve while they’re still plump. Light heat (or a quick pickle) intensifies their dark “chocolate” blush without turning them into sauce or mush.

Best Uses

snack-sized halving for bowls that need a high-impact sweet pop
quick-pickled tomatoes (vinegar hits, color stays deep)
tossed into warm pasta at the last minute so they blister without collapsing
fresh salsa or relish where they keep texture and don’t weep too much

Flavor Profile

candy-sweet aroma with gentle, rounded tang silky, juicy bite with a bright snap near-burgundy “tomato candy” flavor that stays vivid when lightly cooked

Kitchen Pairings

garlic balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella olive oil black pepper red onion

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) like Chocolate Sprinkles, and what should I do?

A very common problem is early blight (dark, concentric leaf spots that spread from older leaves upward). Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line, and spray a labeled tomato fungicide if new spots keep appearing. Also space plants for airflow because Solanaceae foliage stays damp longer when plants are crowded.

How often should I water Chocolate Sprinkles during the main growing phase?

During the main growth from flowering through fruit set, water deeply to moisten the root zone, then wait until the top 1 inch of soil is dry before watering again. Expect roughly 1–2 inches of water per week total (more in hot weather), delivered in one or two deep soakings. Consistent moisture helps prevent blossom-end rot, which is frequent when watering fluctuates.

How do I know when Chocolate Sprinkles is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is fully colored and has reached its mature size—count on about 60 days from transplanting as a general target for Solanum lycopersicum. Pick when fruits are firm but give slightly at the blossom end, and they should have uniform color without green shoulders. If you can easily detach the fruit with a gentle twist, it’s usually at peak ripeness.