Grow an heirloom tomato chosen for rich flavor and substantial, juicy slices. Cherokee Purple produces dusky pink fruit with darker shoulders and a colorful interior, making it a rewarding choice for summer sandwiches, tomato salads, and fresh eating.
Your packet contains 120+ Cherokee Purple tomato seeds for planting. These seeds grow indeterminate plants that need support and continue producing over an extended season when conditions are favorable. Seeds are supplied, not live plants or tomatoes.
Why grow Cherokee Purple?
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Made for slicing: medium-large fruits are well suited to sandwiches and simple salads.
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Distinctive appearance: dusky pink skin and dark shoulders add variety to a homegrown tomato harvest.
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Rich tomato flavor: a satisfying choice for gardeners who enjoy traditional heirloom varieties.
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An extended picking season: indeterminate growth allows fruit to ripen gradually rather than all at once.
Plant details
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Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum ‘Cherokee Purple’
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Growth: indeterminate; provide a sturdy cage, stake, or trellis
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Light: full sun
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Typical fruit size: about 8–12 ounces; size varies with growing conditions
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Spacing: 24–36 inches between supported plants
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Harvest timing: approximately 72–80 days from transplanting, with additional time needed to raise seedlings
Planting and care
Start seeds indoors about 5–6 weeks before your planned outdoor transplant date. Sow ¼ inch deep and keep the mix moist at about 75–85°F for germination, commonly 5–10 days. Provide bright light after emergence. Harden seedlings gradually and transplant after frost danger has passed and conditions have warmed. Use fertile, well-drained soil, install support early, and water consistently at soil level.
Frequently asked questions
Are the tomatoes bright purple?
No. Expect dusky pink to reddish fruit with dark shoulders. Color varies with ripeness and growing conditions.
Does the harvest time start when I sow?
No. The approximate harvest window starts when established seedlings are transplanted outdoors.
Can I grow it in a container?
Yes, with a large, well-drained container, substantial support, and careful attention to watering. This is not a compact patio variety.
