Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato Seeds

A thick slice of Cherokee Purple brings rich, sweet-balanced tomato flavor to a summer sandwich. Its broad, slightly flattened beefsteaks ripen dusky pink-purple to brick red, often retaining dark green shoulders. Dense, juicy flesh and colorful seed gel make each slice as distinctive as the skin.

Why Grow Cherokee Purple?

• Rich slicing flavor: Enjoy fresh sandwiches, tomato salads, or slices with basil.
• Distinctive dark shoulders: Dusky rose-purple fruit is not uniformly purple or black; shoulder color may persist at ripeness.
• Substantial beefsteaks: Fruit commonly ranges from about 8–16 oz, with size and shape varying by plant and conditions.
• Open-pollinated heirloom: A Tennessee seed-saving selection shared with Craig LeHoullier in 1990.
• Indeterminate, regular-leaf plants: Provide sturdy support and room for the canopy.

Planting and Growing

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before your intended transplant date. Sow approximately ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix, provide warmth and strong light, and harden off gradually. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

Install a sturdy cage, stake, or trellis early. Water consistently at soil level and mulch to conserve moisture. Retain healthy foliage to shade developing fruit and allow airflow around plants. Fruit can crack during uneven watering or wet weather; check ripening tomatoes frequently.

For square foot gardening, use 1 plant per sq ft (trellis required) with dedicated vertical training and regular pruning. Allow additional space for caged or multi-stemmed plants.

Harvest Details

Maturity: Approximately 80 days from transplant; some suppliers report 80–90 days and timing varies with conditions.
Fruit: Broad, slightly flattened beefsteaks, commonly 8–16 oz; dusky pink-purple skin, dark shoulders, and juicy red-toned flesh with darker seed gel.
Growth habit: Indeterminate, regular leaf; sturdy support required.
Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum.
Life cycle: Frost-tender warm-season annual.
Packet options: Approximately 25 or 50 seeds.

Pick when the lower portions develop mature color and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Do not wait for green shoulders to disappear completely. Handle gently and enjoy fresh or cook into sauces.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for your garden.