Zebra Cherry

Family: Solanaceae Nightshade

Planting Schedule

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

Sun-warmed and jewel-bright, Zebra Cherry tomatoes ripen in a mesmerizing pattern of creamy gold overlaid with bold, candy-striped crimson.

The fruits are small and perfectly round, with a crisp, juicy bite and a lively heirloom sweetness that blooms into a tangy finish. Grow Zebra Cherry for abundant fresh-snack harvests, and let their striking stripes steal the show in salads, vibrant sauces, and quick pickles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Indeterminate

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Zebra Cherry 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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Zebra Cherry brings a thin-skin snap and striped sweet-tang balance that tastes vivid even when the heat is minimal—ideal for salads, hot fast sears, or quick pickles where you want the fruit to stay intact and juicy. Its candy acidity makes it a standout against rich dairy like burrata or mozzarella without turning metallic or flat.

Best Uses

fresh-snack slicing into crusty bread without mushiness
tossed salad tomatoes that stay buoyant under vinaigrette
quick pickles (hot-pack) for a snappy, candy-tart pop
fast blistered/griddled burst tomatoes for jammy edges and juicy centers

Flavor Profile

jewel-bright heirloom sweetness crisp, juicy bite with a tangy finish candy-striped red/amber complexity thin-skin snap that holds in salads

Kitchen Pairings

burrata garlic extra-virgin olive oil red wine vinegar balsamic vinegar fresh mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Watch for early blight (dark, concentric spots on older leaves) and start treatment as soon as spots appear. Remove and discard affected leaves, improve airflow with pruning and spacing, and apply a labeled fungicide for tomatoes if conditions are humid or spots spread. For prevention, water at the base so foliage stays dry and avoid working in the plants when leaves are wet.

How often should I water Zebra Cherry tomatoes during the main growing phase?

During fruit set and filling (around weeks 4–8 for a ~60-day crop), keep soil evenly moist with about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry, then let excess drain—don’t keep the bed constantly wet. Inconsistent moisture is a common cause of blossom-end rot and fruit cracking, so aim for steady cycles.

How can I tell when Zebra Cherry tomatoes are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and turn fully colored with their characteristic yellow-orange background and darker striping. Pick with a gentle twist and slight upward pull; the fruit should detach easily and feel slightly firm but yield to light pressure. For best flavor, harvest at peak ripeness (rather than leaving them to over-soften on the vine).