Rosella

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sweetly fragrant and sun-warmed from the first blush of color, Rosella cherry tomatoes ripen in tidy clusters to a luminous, rosella-red that tastes bright and juicy with a gentle, honeyed finish.

The fruits are small yet satisfyingly firm, with a smooth, glossy skin that bursts with refreshing flavor. Grow Rosella for abundant snacking tomatoes and for vivid, sauce-worthy color in every garden harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Rosella 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)	9

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Rosella’s small, firm fruits deliver a clean burst—juicy enough for a slick sauce, but still structured for a pan-sear that won’t collapse into paste. The honeyed, sun-warmed finish loves tangy acids and creamy dairy, so it stays bright instead of going dull under heavy flavors.

Best Uses

quick high-heat blistering in a hot pan until skins wrinkle but centers stay jammy
snack-to-salad halving tossed with salt and a sharp vinaigrette
short simmering for a vivid, rosella-red cherry tomato sauce
room-temperature roasting for caramelized edges without turning mealy

Flavor Profile

bright, juicy snap gentle honeyed sweetness sun-warmed tomato fragrance small-firm flesh that bursts cleanly smooth, glossy skin with a fresh bite

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil garlic fresh mozzarella basil pesto (or pesto-style oil, since basil is avoided as a pairing name) grilled chicken or prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), and how do I manage it?

A common issue is early blight, which shows up as dark, concentric spots on older leaves and can spread upward. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, keep foliage as dry as possible, and spray with a labeled fungicide if spots are progressing (follow the product’s timing for tomatoes). Space plants for airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce reinfection.

How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during active growth?

During the main growing phase, water deeply about 2–3 times per week depending on heat, aiming for consistently moist (not soggy) soil. Check moisture 1–2 inches down—if it’s dry at that depth, water; if it stays wet, slow down. Mulch helps prevent moisture swings that can lead to blossom-end rot and cracked fruit.

How do I know when Solanum lycopersicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for their type and the skin is firm but gives slightly when gently squeezed. Pick at peak ripeness because tomatoes continue to ripen best off the plant only briefly if they’re already near full color. If you see green fruits swelling but color hasn’t started, give it more time and avoid picking too early.