What hardiness zones is Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' suitable for?

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b.

What are the sun requirements for Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear'?

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' need?

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' has High water needs.

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear', Yellow Pear Tomato

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Vegetables

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear'

Yellow Pear Tomato

Solanaceae

W South America—Peru/Ecuador/Andes (S. lycopersicum; Yellow Pear documented since 1700s; oldest named tomato; pear-shaped bright yellow; indeterminate prolific; low acid)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitClimbing

FoliageDeciduous

Height72-120 inches (180-300 cm)

Width24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4a - 10b

Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancetender

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Solanum lycopersicum 'Yellow Pear' is an annual (warm-season) vine reaching 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall with a spread of 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) and a vigorous, indeterminate, vining habit. An heirloom tomato documented since the 1700s—one of the oldest named tomato cultivars—it produces clusters of small, pear-shaped, bright yellow fruits 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long with mild, sweet, low-acid flesh. Prolific producer—plants yield hundreds of small fruits continuously from midsummer through frost. Indeterminate habit requires sturdy staking, caging, or trellising. Days to maturity 70-80 from transplant. Growth rate is very fast. The pear shape and bright yellow color are distinctive in the cherry/grape tomato class.

Native Range

Solanum lycopersicum originated in western South America—Peru, Ecuador, and the Andes. 'Yellow Pear' has been documented since the 1700s—among the oldest named tomato cultivars.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens on sturdy supports for culinary use—fresh eating, salads, roasting, snacking, preserving. Pear-shaped bright yellow. Oldest heirloom (1700s). Mild sweet low-acid. Prolific—hundreds of fruits per plant. Indeterminate—continuous harvest midsummer through frost. 70-80 days. Requires sturdy 6-10 ft support. Vigorous—can overwhelm small gardens. Susceptible to foliar diseases.

How to Identify

Distinguished from red cherry tomatoes by the bright yellow (versus red) color, the pear (versus round) shape, and the milder sweeter low-acid (versus tangy) flavor. Distinguished from yellow grape tomatoes by the pear (versus oval) shape. Distinguished from full-size tomatoes by the 1-2 inch (versus 3-6 inch) fruit size. Yellow Pear—pear-shaped bright yellow, oldest heirloom (1700s), mildest sweetest, indeterminate prolific hundreds of fruits, low acid.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Small yellow star-shaped flowers in clusters continuously from early summer through frost. Self-pollinating. Each cluster produces 6-12 pear-shaped fruits. Continuous flowering and fruiting—indeterminate.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; small star-shaped; clusters; continuous summer-frost

Foliage Description

Dark green; pinnately compound; on vigorous indeterminate vines; aromatic

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

70-80 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant after all frost danger when soil is warm 60°F (16°C). Full sun, well-drained, fertile soil (pH 6.0-6.8). Sturdy staking or caging to 6-10 feet—vigorous indeterminate vines. Consistent deep watering. Days to maturity 70-80 from transplant. Prune suckers for air circulation. Harvest when fully yellow and slightly soft. Susceptible to foliar diseases—provide air circulation.

Pruning

Remove suckers below first flower cluster for stronger main stem. Prune for air circulation to reduce foliar disease. Remove lower leaves touching soil. Continue removing suckers or allow 2-3 main stems.

Pruning Schedule

summer