Roma

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sun-warmed and deeply aromatic, Roma delivers a dense, meaty sweetness with a classic tang that sings from first bite to last spoonful.

Its elongated, plum-shaped fruits ripen to a rich, steady red and hold their firm, low-seed texture—ideal for turning into thick, velvety sauces and robust paste. Grow Roma for dependable, warm-season performance and a harvest that’s tailor-made for preserving and simmering into pantry favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Determinate

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Roma 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 13th	Jul 20th	Oct 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – 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	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Determinate
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

Built for the pot: Roma’s low-seed, firm interior collapses into a thick, velvety sauce without turning soupy. Use it when you want tomato flavor that holds its body on a spoon and keeps its backbone through long simmering.

Best Uses

slow-simmered marinara that stays spoonable (not watery)
thick paste-style sauce for pizza and baked dishes
canned/preserved tomato sauces and relishes
grilled or roasted tomato halves where the flesh stays structured

Flavor Profile

dense, meaty flesh plum-sweet with a clean, classic tang low-seed texture that cooks down thick sun-warmed, deeply aromatic finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil onion Parmesan mozzarella balsamic vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Roma tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and how can I treat it early?

Early blight (Alternaria) shows up as dark, concentric rings on older leaves and can spread quickly in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard the affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and water at the soil line to keep foliage dry. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for tomatoes and reapply according to the label schedule.

How often should I water Roma tomatoes during their main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active fruiting, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, adjusting to heat so the top 1 inch of soil dries slightly between waterings. Keep moisture steady—uneven watering can cause blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Aim for consistently moist soil 6–8 inches down, not soggy conditions.

How do I tell when Roma tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (typically deep red) and feel firm but slightly yielding to gentle pressure. They should also detach easily from the vine with a light twist and have reached full size for the variety. For best flavor, pick after the fruit has ripened fully on the plant, not just at first color change.