Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry', Black Cherry Tomato
Annuals

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry'

Black Cherry Tomato

UnknownSouth America

At a Glance

Typeannual
Habitvining
Foliagedeciduous
Height6-8 feet
Width2-3 feet
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

9a - 11b
Zone 9a
Zone 9b
Zone 10a
Zone 10b
Zone 11a
Zone 11b
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Container Friendly
Maintenancehigh

Overview

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' is a distinctive indeterminate cherry tomato cultivar renowned for its remarkably dark, almost burgundy-black fruits that create a striking contrast in the garden. This vigorous annual produces abundant clusters of small, round tomatoes that measure approximately 1 inch in diameter, with each cluster containing 6-12 fruits that develop from green to deep purple-black when fully ripe, displaying the darkest coloration on the shoulders and upper portions. The plant exhibits the classic tomato characteristics with compound, deeply serrated leaves that are medium to dark green in color, providing an attractive backdrop for the small, bright yellow star-shaped flowers that are arranged in simple racemes. As an indeterminate variety, the vines continue growing and producing fruit throughout the growing season until killed by frost, often reaching impressive heights of 6-8 feet when properly supported, making this cultivar both productive and visually striking in the vegetable garden.

Native Range

Solanum lycopersicum is native to western South America, particularly the Andes Mountains region encompassing parts of Peru, Ecuador, and northern Chile, where wild ancestors of modern tomatoes still grow in their natural mountain habitats today.

Suggested Uses

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' excels in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers with adequate support systems, where its unique dark fruits create visual interest and conversation. The striking dark cherry tomatoes make excellent fresh additions to salads, providing both sweet flavor and dramatic color contrast, and are popular for gourmet cooking applications where the unusual appearance creates impressive visual impact. This cultivar is ideal for specialty farmers market sales, fresh eating as garden snacks, creative garnishes for culinary presentations, and preserving applications including sauces and canning where the distinctive color adds uniqueness to preserved products.

How to Identify

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' can be readily identified by its characteristic small, dark purple-black cherry tomatoes that develop in distinctive clusters, combined with the typical compound tomato leaves featuring deep serrations and bright yellow star-shaped flowers. The fruits are unmistakably dark, appearing almost black in full sun exposure, which clearly distinguishes this cultivar from standard red cherry tomatoes. The indeterminate growth habit produces long, sprawling vines that require substantial support structures, and the fruits maintain their distinctive dark coloration even when fully ripe, unlike other tomato varieties that turn bright red at maturity.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 8'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~26 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SummerFall
early summer through fall

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

bright yellow

Foliage Description

medium to dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.8(Neutral)
357912
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

75-80 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' requires consistent, deep watering providing approximately 1-2 inches per week through infrequent but thorough watering sessions rather than frequent shallow applications to encourage deep root development. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time, then transition to a lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once flowering begins to promote abundant fruit production over excessive foliage growth. Provide sturdy support structures such as tall cages, stakes, or trellises, as the indeterminate vines become quite heavy when laden with fruit clusters. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, while keeping the mulch several inches away from the main stem to prevent fungal disease issues.

Pruning

Prune Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' by regularly removing suckers that develop in the crotch between the main stem and side branches to direct the plant's energy into fruit production rather than excessive vegetative growth. Remove the lower leaves that touch the ground or come close to soil level to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases. As the growing season progresses, promptly remove any yellowing, damaged, or diseased foliage to maintain plant health. In late summer, consider topping the main growing points to encourage the plant to focus its remaining energy on ripening existing fruits rather than producing new growth that won't have time to mature before frost.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

The ripe fruits of Solanum lycopersicum 'Black Cherry' are completely safe for human consumption and highly nutritious. However, like all members of the nightshade family, the green parts of the plant including leaves, stems, and unripe green fruits contain solanine and other glycoalkaloids that can be toxic to humans and pets if consumed in significant quantities. Keep pets and children from eating the foliage or unripe green fruits, and always allow fruits to fully ripen to their characteristic dark color before consumption.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

both

Indoor Start

6 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F

Days to Maturity

75–80 days

Plant Spacing

24 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

basil
oregano
parsley
marigolds
nasturtiums
carrots
lettuce
spinach

Avoid Planting With

brassicas
fennel
corn
dill
potatoes
eggplant
peppers