Indigo Pear Drops

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Indigo Pear Drops to a garden.

Indigo Pear Drops brings a velvet-sweet burst of flavor with a complex, berry-bright tang—its skin turns a jewel-deep indigo-purple that glows against the garden light.

The fruits are petite and pear-shaped, with a crisp, juicy bite and a smooth, glossy surface that feels almost lacquered. Grow this cherry tomato for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and striking sauces where its dark color and lively taste shine through.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Indigo Pear Drops

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Indigo Pear Drops 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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These are the kind of cherry tomatoes that taste like sweet fruit until the tang shows up—so you want them barely handled: cold, blistered hot, or reduced fast. The thin lacquered skin and crisp juice make them hold shape in salads and shine in a quick butter-balsamic pan sauce.

Best Uses

cold snack pints—eat them straight so the tang pops
salads where their firm snap holds against delicate greens
quick, high-heat blistering to intensify color and concentrate juices
drizzle-worthy pan sauces for chicken or fish—finish with butter to round the acidity

Flavor Profile

velvet-sweet cherry tomato flavor berry-bright tang with a faint smoky edge crisp, juice-forward bite with a clean finish glossy, thin skin that stays neat, not leathery

Kitchen Pairings

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease problem is most common on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) “Indigo” types, and how do I stop it?

Tomato plants commonly suffer from early blight (Alternaria), which starts as brown, target-like spots on lower leaves and spreads upward. Remove and discard affected leaves early, keep foliage as dry as possible by watering at the soil line, and apply a labeled fungicide if spots begin during warm, humid weather. Space plants for airflow and avoid overhead watering to slow further spread.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase?

During fruiting, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry, because irregular watering can trigger blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Mulch around the base to steady moisture around the root zone.

How can I tell when “Indigo Pear Drops” tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach a fully developed, uniform deep color (typically dark purple-black with green shoulders fading), and they feel slightly firm but not hard. They should come off the vine with a gentle twist rather than requiring pulling. For best flavor, pick frequently from about day 60 onward as ripe fruits develop quickly in warm weather.