Sun Gold

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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Sweet as sunlight, Sun Gold cherry tomatoes burst with a honeyed, golden flavor and a juicy, snap-tender bite.

Their warm amber skins glow on vigorous vines, delivering a delicate, aromatic texture that shines whether you’re savoring them straight from the garden or turning them into bright, glossy sauces. Prolific and reliably early at about 60 days, Sun Gold is a favorite for gardeners who want abundant, candy-like harvests in every season of the home plot.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Sun Gold 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	Stake
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

Sun Gold’s signature is that candy-sweet, high-juice burst—its thin skin snaps instead of toughening. Treat it gently: quick heat to blister and quick reduces to glaze, and it’ll shine with glossy, honeyed flavor rather than collapsing into watery sauce.

Best Uses

eating straight off the vine or lightly dressed for a “candy tomato” salad
fast pan-blistering to pop the skins without turning the flesh to mush
glossy, quick-reduce sauces where the juice thickens naturally
roasting on high heat to concentrate sweetness while keeping a juicy center

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness high-juice burst with a snap-tender bite bright, sun-warmed acidity thin, aromatic skin that stays pleasantly crisp

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic aged balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella burrata herbed yogurt (tahini-yogurt also works)

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest problem is most common on Sun Gold tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and how do I control it?

Watch for tomato hornworms and aphids, which often show up as heavy leaf damage or sticky leaves/ants. Handpick hornworms when you see them, then spray with insecticidal soap or neem for aphids, repeating every 5–7 days until activity stops. Keep plants well-pruned for airflow and remove heavily infested leaves to reduce reinfestation.

How often should I water Sun Gold tomatoes during their main fruiting phase?

During fruiting, keep the soil evenly moist—about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply at the base and avoid wetting foliage; let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking. Mulch around plants to steady moisture in full sun.

How can I tell when Sun Gold tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored—deep golden-orange—without any green shoulders near the stem. They should be slightly soft when gently squeezed and should come off with a light twist rather than needing force. Pick regularly (every 1–3 days in warm weather) to prevent overripe fruit from slowing new production.