Tomato Cherokee Purple

Best Tomato Varieties to Grow in Your Garden, Buy Cherokee Purple (Heirloom) 1 Gallon, popular heirloom variety

Tomato Cherokee Purple

$20.85

Description
Light/Soil/Water
Hardiness

Tomato 'Cherokee Purple' is a well-loved heirloom variety known for its deep, rich flavor and unusual color. Believed to have originated from seeds passed down by the Cherokee people in the 1800s, this tomato carries a lot of history along with its outstanding taste. It grows as an indeterminate vine, meaning it keeps producing fruit throughout the season rather than all at once. With the right support, it becomes a lush, sprawling plant that fills garden spaces with beautiful, dusky-colored fruits.

The fruits of Cherokee Purple are large, often weighing 10 to 12 ounces (280–340 g) or more, and have a slightly flattened, beefsteak shape. The skin is a dusky pinkish-purple with darker shoulders, and when sliced open, the flesh reveals a deep red interior with a hint of green near the seeds. The flavor is full-bodied — sweet, smoky, and a little earthy — making it a favorite for slicing, sandwiches, and fresh salads. Because of their soft texture, the tomatoes are best enjoyed soon after picking.

Unlike many modern hybrids, Cherokee Purple takes a little patience to grow, often maturing a bit later in the season. The vines can stretch 6 to 8 feet tall and need sturdy cages or stakes to support the heavy fruits. The leaves are more traditional tomato leaves (not potato-like like some heirlooms), giving the plants a classic, leafy garden look as they fill out through the summer.

Although it’s grown mainly for its outstanding fruit, Cherokee Purple also brings a soft, natural beauty to vegetable gardens with its tall, leafy vines and colorful harvest. Gardeners who grow it often say no other tomato compares when it comes to complex, rich flavor. In the right conditions, it rewards growers with some of the most memorable tomatoes of the season.
Needs full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours a day, for strong vines and rich fruit flavor. Plants grown in too much shade will produce fewer and less flavorful fruits.

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, aiming for deep, steady watering rather than frequent light watering. Consistent moisture helps prevent problems like cracking.

Handles average outdoor humidity but needs good airflow around the leaves. Crowded conditions or wet leaves for too long can invite fungal diseases.

Prefers warm temperatures between 70–85°F. Plant outside only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. While tomatoes are generally grown as annuals and can be cultivated in USDA zones 3 through 11, the key factor is the length of the growing season and the average last frost date in your specific area. In cooler zones like 3 and 4, gardeners often start seeds indoors and use season-extending techniques to ensure a successful harvest.

Thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Adding compost or organic matter encourages strong vines and better fruit production.

Feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, or use one slightly higher in phosphorus to promote more flowers and fruits. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which can create too much leafy growth.

Ripe fruits are edible and safe, but the green parts of the plant (stems, leaves, and unripe fruits) are toxic if ingested. Keep plants where pets and small children can't reach them.
Zone 3-11

All of our product images on our website and social media visuals are proudly and originally produced by our team. We pour a lot of care and creativity into capturing the beauty of our plants, and these images are a true reflection of our passion for greenery. We’ve noticed several websites and online marketplace sellers using our original images without permission. This is image theft. If you see our images elsewhere, please know they’re being used without our consent. For the best quality and authenticity, always shop with us directly.

We ship all year round, if your area is cold (under 40 degree), please consider purchasing a Heat Pack to add to your order.

Shipping
Guarantee
Care

2 INCH/ 4 INCH/ 6 INCH ARE THE SIZES OF THE POTS, NOT THE SIZE OF THE PLANTS.

* Minimalist Pot Options: White/ Oatmeal/ Gray colors are randomly picked

* Grower pot option is plastic pot, the color of the plastic pot will be random (brown, black, white or green)

* We use 3.5 inch wide clay pots for 4" succulent plant + clay pot option.

Your plant will be carefully wrapped in a sturdy box. Most of the succulents will be shipped bare-root to ensure their safety. If you want to receive the plastic pot & soil, please leave a note in your order. When opening your package, some soil may be loose in the box. Plant orders are shipped within 3-5 days depending on the availability of the plant. We ship our plants Monday through Friday, all twelve months of the year! If you need your order urgently, please message us so we can upgrade your shipping (additional cost applied). We do not ship outside of the continental United States.

We ship all year round, if your area is cold (under 40 degree), please consider purchasing a Heat Pack to add to your order.

Our packaging materials are:
- 100% recyclable and biodegradable cardboard boxes.
- 100% biodegradable packing peanuts made from natural and non-toxic sources.

Here is our blog about the shipping process and packaging: https://succulentsbox.com/pages/shipping-return-policy

*** The size options are represtentative of pots that the plants come in. Sometimes customer may receive multiple plants instead of a large one to make up size.

*** All of our packages are sterilized before leaving the door.
We take great pride in shipping only healthy, beautiful plants to our customers! To ensure they arrive in the best condition, please track your package and open it immediately upon arrival. If you have any concerns, our dedicated customer support team is here to help—just message us right away!
Fragile varieties like bearpaw and baby toe may lose a few leaves or experience minor breakage during transit, but we are happy to assist if your plant is severely damaged. Our goal is to make sure you receive plants you love, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Additionally, plant sizes may vary slightly depending on availability or the time of year, but rest assured, each one is carefully grown and selected.Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’re always here to help make your plant journey a great one!

Green Thumb Guarantee
Worried about plant care? We’ve got you covered! If your plant care goes haywire within 6 months of your order, you can claim a $15 gift card for your plant.
How it works:
- For each plant, you can receive a gift card.
- All gift cards issued by Succulents Box will expire one (1) year from the date of creation.
- The more plants you order, the more you can claim, up to a maximum of $50 gift card per order.
- One-time claim per order.
- For subscriptions, you can claim once per subscription.
- Valid for orders from Aug 28, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
- Email your order number & plant pictures to support@succulentsbox.com to claim your gift card
Provide porous soil with adequate drainage, pots with drainage hole are recommended. Bright, filtered light and ample airflow. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Never let your succulents sit in water. Do NOT water on the leaves. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes. The hotter it is outside, the faster your soil will dry out, so you’ll need to water more often if you live in a hot area. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods; protect from frost to prevent scarring.

Tomato Cherokee Purple

Tomato Cherokee Purple

Green Thumb Guarantee

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Tomato Cherokee Purple

Tomato Cherokee Purple

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