Heirloom tomatoes aren’t just another garden variety—they’re living history passed down from generation to generation. Unlike mass-produced hybrids, these tomatoes are open-pollinated and grown for traits like rich flavor, unique colors, and natural resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, heirloom tomatoes bring unmatched taste and character to your garden beds.
Many gardeners choose heirloom tomatoes not just for their beauty but because they’re ideal for seed saving and future harvests. These varieties, often dating back more than a century, come in shapes, sizes, and hues you won’t find at your local grocery store. Ready to grow your best tomato season ever? Here are 10 of the most beloved heirloom tomato varieties that deserve a spot in your garden.
Table of Contents
1. Black Cherry
If you’re looking for a small tomato that packs a punch, Black Cherry is the heirloom tomato for you. These bite-sized fruits offer a deep reddish-purple skin and a rich, sweet flavor that’s hard to beat. Though petite in size, the taste is bold—almost wine-like—with a juicy burst that makes them irresistible straight off the vine.
Black Cherry tomatoes grow on vigorous, indeterminate plants, which means they’ll keep producing throughout the season. Be sure to give them strong vertical support, like cages or trellises, as the vines can grow quite tall. This variety thrives in temperatures between 50°F and 90°F and typically produces fruits around 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Gardeners love Black Cherry not just for its flavor, but for its reliability and disease resistance. It’s a great pick for salads, roasting, or eating fresh by the handful. Plus, their antioxidant-rich profile adds a healthy bonus to their already stellar reputation.
2. Brandywine (Sudduth’s Strain)
Among heirloom tomatoes, Brandywine (Sudduth’s Strain) is often considered the gold standard. This iconic variety is celebrated for its large, beefsteak-style fruits with pinkish-red skin and a creamy, full-bodied flavor that’s hard to forget. If you’ve never tasted a homegrown Brandywine, you’re missing out on what many call the best-tasting tomato in existence.
These tomatoes are hefty—often over a pound—and have a smooth, meaty texture with minimal seeds. They’re perfect for slicing into thick sandwiches or layering in summer caprese salads. But they do require patience: with a maturity time of 80 to 90 days, Brandywines are among the slower-growing heirlooms.
To grow them successfully, choose a location that gets full sun for at least 8 hours per day and use fresh, nutrient-rich soil. These plants need plenty of space, consistent watering, and sturdy cages to support their weighty fruit.
Brandywine tomatoes are a must for anyone serious about flavor in the garden.
3. Dixie Golden Giant
Dixie Golden Giant tomatoes bring a splash of sunshine to the garden with their vibrant, golden-yellow skin and impressively large size. This heirloom tomato, cherished since the 1930s, was originally cultivated by Amish gardeners and remains a favorite for those seeking sweet, low-acid fruit.
Fruits can weigh up to 2 pounds each and have a mild, fruity flavor that’s excellent for slicing or canning. Their bright color makes them a beautiful contrast on a plate, especially when paired with red or purple tomato varieties.
Dixie Golden Giant plants are strong producers and have a slightly shorter maturity period than many other large heirlooms—usually around 80 days. They perform well in full sun and benefit from rich, well-draining soil. Since the fruits are so large, secure staking or a heavy-duty cage is essential to keep the plants upright as they begin to fruit.
This variety isn’t just eye-catching—it’s productive, tasty, and a standout in any heirloom tomato lineup.
4. Delicious
True to its name, the Delicious heirloom tomato offers a rich, classic tomato flavor that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. These meaty, bright red tomatoes are ideal for slicing onto sandwiches or chopping into garden-fresh salsas. With a firm texture and minimal seeds, they also hold up well in cooking.
One of the most impressive traits of the Delicious variety is its size. While fruits typically range from 1 to 2 pounds, one plant famously produced a world-record tomato weighing over 7 pounds! Needless to say, this tomato earns its place in the garden not only for flavor but for bragging rights.
Delicious tomatoes mature in about 77 days and grow on tall, indeterminate vines that can reach up to 6 feet in height. They prefer full sun and regular watering, and will thrive in rich, loamy soil. As with other large heirlooms, strong support is a must to handle the heavy fruit load.
For gardeners seeking taste, productivity, and show-stopping size, Delicious won’t disappoint.
5. Chocolate Stripes
With its stunning marbled skin in shades of deep red and dark brown, Chocolate Stripes is one of the most visually striking heirloom tomatoes you can grow. But it’s not just a looker—this variety delivers a complex, earthy flavor that’s both sweet and smoky, making it a standout for gourmet dishes and fresh eating alike.
Fruits are medium to large in size and tend to have an irregular, ribbed shape. Each one is beautifully patterned with stripes that only deepen in color as they ripen. These tomatoes mature in roughly 80 days and grow on indeterminate vines, so they’ll continue producing all season long.
To get the best harvest, water only when the top few inches of soil feel dry, as overwatering can lead to splitting. Early applications of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can encourage healthy foliage, but stop feeding once the fruit sets to avoid excess leaf growth over fruit production.
Chocolate Stripes combines unique appearance with a flavor profile that truly elevates any tomato dish.
6. Blondkopfchen
The name Blondkopfchen, which translates from German to “little blonde girl,” perfectly captures the charm of this cheerful, golden-yellow cherry tomato. Known for its candy-sweet flavor and prolific yields, this heirloom is a favorite among gardeners who want a steady supply of bite-sized tomatoes all summer long.
Blondkopfchen tomatoes grow in clusters on vigorous indeterminate vines that can reach impressive heights. The fruit itself is small—usually about half an inch wide—but the harvest is anything but. One plant can produce hundreds of tomatoes in a season, making it ideal for snacking, salads, or even dehydrating.
This variety is remarkably hardy and crack-resistant, which makes it a great choice for beginner gardeners or those in unpredictable climates. It matures in about 75 to 80 days and thrives in full sun with well-draining soil.
If you’re looking for a cheerful pop of color and flavor in your garden, Blondkopfchen is a delightful and dependable heirloom to grow.
7. Azoychka
Hailing from Russia, Azoychka is a lesser-known but highly prized heirloom tomato known for its distinctive citrusy tang and sunny yellow skin. Unlike many yellow tomatoes that lean sweet, Azoychka delivers a zesty, slightly acidic flavor that adds brightness to any dish.
Fruits are medium-sized, often weighing around half a pound, and have a smooth, round shape with a juicy interior. Their unique balance of acidity and sweetness makes them excellent for slicing, salsa, or pairing with richer red varieties in salads.
Azoychka matures earlier than many large heirlooms—usually around 70 to 75 days—and produces consistently throughout the season. Plants are indeterminate and fairly compact compared to other heirlooms, making them a great option for smaller gardens or raised beds.
This variety handles heat well and is known for reliable performance, even in less-than-ideal conditions. If you’re looking to diversify your heirloom tomatoes with something bright and tangy, Azoychka is a must-grow.
8. Amana Orange
For a bold splash of color and flavor in your garden, Amana Orange is a showstopper. This Iowa-native heirloom produces massive, orange-skinned fruits that can weigh up to 2 pounds. Their meaty texture and low acidity make them a perfect pick for slicing, juicing, or showcasing in fresh summer dishes.
Amana Orange tomatoes have a mellow, slightly fruity taste that’s less tangy than red varieties but still full of character. The flesh is smooth and rich, with very few seeds—ideal for anyone who loves thick tomato slices on sandwiches or burgers.
Expect these tomatoes to mature in about 80 to 90 days. The plants are indeterminate and require sturdy cages or staking to support the heavy fruits. Like many heirlooms, they need consistent moisture and plenty of sunshine to thrive.
If you’re after a tomato that combines impressive size with garden elegance and great taste, Amana Orange won’t disappoint.
9. Black Krim
Originating from the Crimean Peninsula, Black Krim is a dramatic and flavorful heirloom tomato that’s as rich in history as it is in taste. With dusky, purplish-red skin and deep green shoulders, this variety adds a striking contrast to any tomato display. But its real magic lies in the flavor—a robust, slightly salty sweetness that many tomato enthusiasts can’t get enough of.
Black Krim tomatoes are medium to large in size, often weighing up to a pound. The flesh is dark, juicy, and full of umami—making it a favorite for fresh eating, sandwiches, and even tomato tarts. Gardeners love its ability to thrive in warm, sunny climates, where its color and flavor really shine.
Plants are indeterminate and produce steadily throughout the season, typically maturing in about 75 to 80 days. Be sure to give them support and regular watering to prevent cracking and sunscald.
If you’re craving a tomato with bold flavor and visual appeal, Black Krim is a must-have.
10. Brandywine
One of the most legendary names among heirloom tomatoes, Brandywine (the classic variety) is beloved for its large size, complex flavor, and old-fashioned tomato goodness. With its pinkish-red skin and smooth, creamy texture, this tomato has become a garden favorite for over a century—and for good reason.
Fruits often weigh more than a pound and boast a dense, meaty flesh with few seeds, making them ideal for slicing and serving raw. The flavor is rich, balanced, and unmistakably “tomatoey”—a perfect blend of sweet and tart that has earned Brandywine its reputation as a top-tier heirloom.
Expect a longer growing season, with maturity usually around 85 to 90 days. The plants are indeterminate and need strong staking to support their heavy fruit load. Brandywine prefers full sun, nutrient-rich soil, and consistent moisture to perform its best.
Whether you’re growing for flavor, history, or bragging rights, classic Brandywine tomatoes are a time-tested treasure worth the wait.
Written by Elly 🌿
Founder of Flora Nurture, Elly is a lifelong garden lover inspired by her grandfather’s teachings. She shares soulful gardening wisdom rooted in nature, creativity, and mindful living.
Read more about Elly →FAQs About Heirloom Tomatoes
What makes a tomato an heirloom?
A tomato is considered an heirloom when it comes from open-pollinated seeds that have been passed down for at least 50 years. These varieties are grown for flavor, color, and unique traits—not commercial shelf life.
Are heirloom tomatoes harder to grow than hybrids?
Not necessarily. While some heirlooms may be more susceptible to disease, many gardeners find them rewarding and manageable with good soil, sun, and airflow. Plus, the flavor payoff is worth the effort.
Can I save seeds from heirloom tomatoes?
Yes! One of the biggest benefits of growing heirloom tomatoes is the ability to save seeds year after year, ensuring consistent flavor and growth characteristics.
Do heirloom tomatoes taste better?
Most gardeners and chefs agree that heirloom tomatoes offer superior flavor compared to store-bought hybrids. Their diversity in taste—from sweet and fruity to rich and tangy—makes them popular among food lovers.
How should I support heirloom tomato plants?
Use strong cages, trellises, or stakes, especially for indeterminate varieties that grow tall and bear heavy fruit. Support is key to keeping plants healthy and productive.
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