Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum • Solanaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Western South America and Central America
📅 Days to Maturity
70-85 days from transplanting to maturity, depending on the specific cultivar.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Typically grown as an annual in USDA Zones 2-11, though perennial in its native tropical habitat.
About This Seed
The seed is very small, kidney-shaped to flat oval, light tan to grayish-brown, with a fuzzy or hairy surface texture due to tiny hairs. The resulting plant is a bushy, determinate or indeterminate vine with compound leaves, small yellow flowers, and fleshy, red, oval-shaped paste fruits.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer, start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, sensitive to frost
Germination
Germinates in 7-14 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-85°F. High germination rate. Requires moisture and warmth; light is not strictly required for germination until emergence.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/4 inch deep, spaced 24-36 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart. Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8, amended with compost.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Needs consistent watering, about 1-2 inches per week, avoiding overhead irrigation to prevent fungal diseases.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include basil, marigolds, garlic, and carrots. Avoid planting near fennel, potatoes, or brassicas.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for culinary use, moderate heat tolerance, attracts pollinators, produces prolific yields of paste-type tomatoes ideal for sauces.