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Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'
Cherokee Purple Tomato
Heirloom cultivar passed down through the Cherokee Nation; the species S. lycopersicum is native to western South America
Overview
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple' is an indeterminate heirloom tomato in the family Solanaceae reaching 72-96 inches (180-240 cm / 6-8 feet) tall on stakes or cages and 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) wide. Fruits are large beefsteak-type, 8-12 ounces (225-340 g), with dusky rose-purple to dark brownish-red skin and deep red-purple flesh; the dark color comes from anthocyanin pigments overlaying the red lycopene. Fruit matures in 75-90 days from transplant. Flowers are bright yellow, five-petaled, in small clusters. The cultivar is an open-pollinated heirloom, so seeds saved from a fruit produce plants true to type. The cultivar was passed down through the Cherokee Nation by oral family history and was made widely available through the seed trade in 1990 by Craig LeHoullier. The cultivar carries no hybrid disease resistance and is susceptible to Fusarium wilt, late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and fruit cracking; fruits split readily in heavy rain or after swings in soil moisture. The indeterminate growth habit requires staking or caging. Green parts (leaves, stems, unripe fruit) contain solanine and are toxic to pets and humans if consumed in quantity; ripe fruit is non-toxic. The cultivar ranks among the widely planted heirloom tomatoes in North American home gardens.
Native Range
Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple' is a heirloom cultivar with family history passing it down through the Cherokee Nation. The species S. lycopersicum is native to western South America (Peru, Ecuador).Suggested Uses
Grown in vegetable gardens and large containers (20 gallons / 76 L minimum). Open-pollinated heirloom, so seeds saved from mature fruit produce true-to-type plants. The purple beefsteak fruit is the main feature. The cultivar carries no hybrid disease resistance. Susceptible to fruit cracking in variable moisture. Green parts toxic to pets and humans. Tender annual.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 8'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Bright yellow five-petaled flowers in small clusters, borne continuously June through October on indeterminate vines. Self-pollinating. Fruits set 5-7 days after pollination and mature 75-90 days after transplanting.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright yellow; five-petaled; in small clusters; June-OctoberFoliage Description
Medium to dark green; pinnately compound with serrated leaflets; aromatic when crushed; deciduousGrowing 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
Full sun (6+ hours of direct light per day). Rich moist well-drained soil at pH 6.0-7.0. Seedlings are started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date and transplanted after the soil warms to 60°F (16°C). Indeterminate vines reach 6-8 feet and require staking or caging. The cultivar carries no hybrid disease resistance and is susceptible to Fusarium wilt, late blight, and fruit cracking. Consistent soil moisture reduces cracking. Green parts contain solanine and are toxic to pets and humans if consumed. Tender annual; vines are killed by the first fall frost.Pruning
Suckers (shoots emerging at the axils between main stem and leaves) are removed weekly for single-stem training. Lower leaves below the first fruit truss are removed to improve airflow and reduce soil-splash disease transmission. The main stem is topped 4-6 weeks before the first expected fall frost to redirect energy into ripening remaining fruit. Staking or caging supports the indeterminate growth. Container culture uses 20-gallon (76 L) or larger containers.Pruning Schedule
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summerfall
Maintenance Level
highContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 20 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; transplant only
Days to Maturity
75–90 days
Plant Spacing
24 inches
Botanical Flashcard
