SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Sunrise Bumble Bee

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Sunrise Bumble Bee to a garden.

Sunrise Bumble Bee tomatoes burst with a honeyed, sunlit sweetness—bright, candy-like flavor that tastes vivid even at first bite.

At maturity, clusters of petite fruits wear a warm golden base brushed with bold red-orange striping, their skins taut and glossy with a crisp snap and juicy, seed-studded tenderness. Ideal for fresh snacking, vibrant salads, and quick, color-forward sauces that showcase their striped “bee” pattern.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Botanical illustration of Sunrise Bumble Bee

Location not set yet

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Sunrise Bumble Bee 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

TraitValue
Days to Maturity60
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitIndeterminate
Support NeededStake
Planting DepthDeep
Germination Temp (°F)75
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)10

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

These striped cherry tomatoes are built for speed: blister them briefly or keep them raw so their honeyed sweetness and glossy snap come through instead of turning stewed. Their seed-jus gives you a natural, bright glaze in a fast reduction that clings to cheese and cured meats like it means it.

Best Uses

  • bite-size snacking tomatoes that stay intact and glossy
  • fresh salads where they can hold dressing without collapsing
  • quick pan-warm sauce (just blister and reduce lightly) to preserve their sweetness and striping

Flavor Profile

honeyed, candy-like sweetness bright, tangy snap of acidity crisp skin with juicy, seed-studded tenderness

Kitchen Pairings

burrata mozzarella extra-virgin olive oil balsamic vinegar prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions


What’s a common disease pest issue for Solanum lycopersicum (cherry tomato) and how do I treat it?
A very common problem is early blight/leaf spot (Alternaria), which shows up as dark, target-like spots on older leaves and can spread upward in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, keep plants spaced for airflow, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If it’s spreading, apply a labeled fungicide for tomatoes/Alternaria and reapply according to the label interval, especially after rainy/humid stretches.
How often should I water Solanum lycopersicum during the main growing phase?
During active fruit set and growth, keep soil evenly moist by watering deeply about 1–2 times per week, depending on heat and container/soil drainage. Aim for consistently damp soil 2–4 in (5–10 cm) down, and avoid letting it dry out completely and then flood it, which can trigger blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Use mulch around the root zone to steady moisture once plants are established.
How can I tell when my Sunrise Bumble Bee tomatoes are ready to harvest?
Harvest when fruits reach full color for the variety (deep, uniform yellow/orange-red tones as they ripen) and the skin is glossy. Gently squeeze—ripe cherry tomatoes should feel firm but give slightly, and they should detach easily from the vine with a light twist. If they still look pale, stay taut, or taste watery/green, wait a few more days and check again.