Tigerella

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Savory-sweet and vividly aromatic, Tigerella slices open to reveal a radiant striped interior—warm scarlet brushed with golden tiger bands—set against a juicy, seed-speckled gel.

The flesh is firm yet tender, with a classic slicing balance of bright acidity and rich tomato depth that shines in fresh salads and hearty sandwiches, and holds beautifully in robust sauces and quick simmered salsas. Grow Tigerella for a garden-to-table showpiece that tastes as bold as it looks, with the steady, reliable performance home gardeners love at about 85 days to maturity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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

Tigerella brings a showman’s slice—firm, tender flesh with an acid edge that keeps the tomato from tasting flat when raw. It also cooks up cleanly: the juice and gel simmer into a sauce that’s bright and tomato-forward without turning jammy or watery.

Best Uses

thick slices for sourdough sandwiches (won’t fully collapse, stays juicy)
fresh salads where the tiger-striped interior makes the cut surface pop
robust sauce reduction for a clean tomato-forward finish
quick simmered salsa for juicy spoonability and brisk tang

Flavor Profile

vivid, aromatic tomato flavor bright, slicing acidity savory-sweet balance firm-yet-tender juicy bite with seed-speckled gel

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic mozzarella balsamic vinegar black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat early blight (Alternaria) on Solanum lycopersicum (Tigerella tomatoes)?

Early blight often shows as brown, target-like spots on older leaves, which can spread quickly in warm, humid conditions. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, avoid wetting foliage, and rotate away from tomato/other Solanaceae beds each season. If problems start early, use a labeled fungicide strategy for tomatoes (follow label intervals) and keep mulch and spacing to improve airflow.

How often should I water Tigerella tomatoes during the main growing phase to avoid problems?

During active fruiting, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming for consistently moist (not soggy) soil. Let the top 1–2 inches dry slightly between waterings, then soak thoroughly so moisture reaches deeper roots and reduces blossom-end rot and cracking. In hot weather or containers, you may need more frequent watering, but always water at the base rather than overhead.

What signs tell me Tigerella tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored for Tigerella (yellow/orange with clear dark red/tan striping), feel firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure, and the shoulders are no longer green. Pick before they become over-soft or split; doing so helps prevent fruit rots and encourages continued ripening on the plant. If frost is forecast and fruit is near-ripe, you can harvest and finish ripening indoors in a single layer.