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Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine'
Brandywine Tomato
Heirloom cultivar from Chester County, Pennsylvania; parent species native to western South America
Overview
Solanum lycopersicum 'Brandywine' is Brandywine tomato, an indeterminate heirloom growing 72–96 inches (180–240 cm / 6–8 feet) on stakes or cages. Plants produce large beefsteak-type fruit 12–16 ounces (340–450 g) or larger with pink-red skin and meaty flesh, maturing in 80–100 days from transplant. Bright yellow flowers open continuously. 'Brandywine' is an open-pollinated heirloom traced to Amish communities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and first documented by Ben Quisenberry in 1982. The cultivar carries potato-type (smooth-edged) leaves rather than the standard serrated compound leaves of most tomato cultivars — the potato-leaf form is a visual cultivar identifier. Indeterminate growth continues through the season and requires staking or caging. The cultivar carries no hybrid disease resistance and is susceptible to fruit cracking, catfacing, Fusarium wilt, and late blight (Phytophthora infestans). A long warm season of 80–100 days is required, so short-season climates need early indoor starting and season extension. Large fruit crack in inconsistent watering. Seed is started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost. All green parts contain solanine and are toxic to pets and humans in quantity; ripe fruit is non-toxic. Full sun (6+ hours). Tender annual. Family Solanaceae.
Native Range
'Brandywine' is an heirloom cultivar traced to Amish communities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, first documented by Ben Quisenberry in 1982. The parent species Solanum lycopersicum is native to western South America.Suggested Uses
Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers of 25 gallons (95 L) or larger with staking or caging. The large beefsteak-type fruit (12–16 oz / 340–450 g) and the complex sweet-acid flavor suit fresh slicing, sandwiches, and home canning. As an heirloom (open-pollinated), seed saved from the ripe fruit grows true to type for home seed-saving. The long season requirement (80–100 days) restricts the cultivar to regions with adequate summer heat. No hybrid disease resistance. Green parts are toxic. Tender annual.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from June through September. Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers open continuously on the indeterminate vine. Self-pollinating, with flower vibration from bees increasing fruit set. Fruit matures 80–100 days from transplant, and new fruit trusses continue through the season.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright yellow; 5-petaled; in small clustersFoliage Description
Medium to dark green; smooth potato-type leaves (not serrated — a cultivar-diagnostic trait); aromatic when brushedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant outdoors after all frost risk has passed in full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight) in rich moist well-drained loamy soil at pH 6.0–6.8. Seed is started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date and transplanted deep to develop adventitious roots along the buried stem. Indeterminate growth to 6–8 feet requires staking or caging at planting. A long warm season of 80–100 days is required, so short-season climates start seed earlier and use row cover or cloches. Consistent deep watering (1–2 inches per week) reduces cracking — large fruit split readily after dry spells followed by heavy watering. The cultivar carries no hybrid disease resistance, so crop rotation and removal of infected foliage matter more than with modern hybrids. Green foliage and stems contain solanine and are toxic to pets and humans in quantity. Tender annual — the plant is killed by the first frost.Pruning
Suckers (side shoots from leaf axils) are removed weekly through the season to maintain single-stem or two-stem training and air circulation. Lower leaves below the first fruit truss are removed to reduce soil-splash disease transmission. The main stem is topped 4–6 weeks before first frost to redirect energy to ripening existing fruit. Staking or caging is required. Containers of 25 gallons (95 L) minimum are needed for full production.Pruning Schedule
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summerfall
Maintenance Level
highContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 25 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to petsPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
transplant
Indoor Start
6 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow Timing
Not recommended: the 80-100 day fruit window requires a warm-season transplant start, so plants are grown from indoor starts rather than direct sowing in Pacific Northwest conditions.
Days to Maturity
80–100 days
Plant Spacing
36 inches
Botanical Flashcard
