Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Solanaceae
Native
Andes
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Further Information
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
About Cherokee Purple Pole Tomato Seeds
Solanum lycopersicum
10–12 oz., thin-skinned rose/purple fruits with brick red-colored interior. It is said that in the late 1890s, Native American Cherokees gave seeds of this tomato to someone who kept the line alive. One hundred years later, the tomato was revived, and the seeds became available to the public through retail sales.
Planting Tomato
Days to Maturity
80 days from transplanting
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 24"–36"
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth
¼"
Coverage & Planting Details
| Coverage | This packet yields approximately 20 plants when started inside. |
|---|---|
| Row Spacing | 36" |
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 24"–36" |
| Thinning | When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 24"–36" |
| Germination | 5–10 days |
| Start Indoors | RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting. Transplant when air temperature is 45°F or warmer, usually 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F. |
| Direct Sow | For mild climates only: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Cherokee Purple' tomatoes are at the peak of sun-ripened deliciousness when fully colored and have a slight give when gently squeezed. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 24 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 6
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
35 reviews
- Henry A.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/4/26Cherokee purples are a great choice!
You’ll get sizable fruit for everything from sandwich slices & burgers and everything for Italian and Mexican recipes. Of all the choices o tomatoes this is the tastiest.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/4/26Hey Henry,
We love that you're getting such sizable fruit from our Cherokee Purple Pole Tomato Seeds! Calling them the tastiest of all your tomato choices - that just makes our day! Cherokee Purples really are something special with that amazing flavor. Thanks for sharing how much you enjoy growing and cooking with them! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Jennifer R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/1/26so healthy and strong
germination was rapid: strong and healthy. Despite the flush of 100+ weather in Arizona, they are hanging tough. Thrilled to harvest in the summer!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests5/4/26Hey Jennifer,
That's awesome your Cherokee Purple Pole Tomato Seeds had such rapid germination! It sounds like your garden is off to a great start despite the intense 100+ degree Arizona heat. There's nothing quite like harvesting your own homegrown Cherokee Purples in the summer heat! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Teresa E.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/24/26Tomato
Good germination,healthy plants
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/3/26Hey Teresa,
We're glad you're having great success growing our Cherokee Purple Pole Tomato Seeds! Cherokee Purple tomatoes are such an amazing heirloom variety. We love the beautiful deep purple color when those fruits start ripening! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with the seeds! Keep on growing 🌻️ - Sara R.AL, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars4/19/26Poor germination
Tomatoes are usually easy. Unfortunately germination was terrible for this variety. Only 1 out of the six seeds I planted germinated. I am an experienced gardener (decades) with a degree in horticulture. I know it was not the conditions because all my other tomatoes are doing well, including my older seeds.
Which best describes you as a gardener? ExpertWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? In Ground - Matt M. (.AL, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars7/1/25Great taste! but not the visual of a cherokee purple
These seem to be staying bright red, similar to my Green Zebra bought here, oddly not matching color(and I am very methodical about starting seeds)
Which best describes you as a gardener? ProfessionalWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests7/24/25Hey Matt,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with our Cherokee Purple Pole Tomato Seeds! We're glad to hear they have great taste. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are known for their distinctive dusky purple-red coloring with darker shoulders, so we understand your concern about them staying bright red. Since you mentioned this is similar to what happened with your Green Zebra seeds, we'd love to look into this further for you. If you wouldn't mind sending the lot # and year from the back of the seed packet, we can share this information with our seed team to investigate. We really appreciate your methodical approach to seed starting and your honest feedback about the appearance. Keep on growing 🌻️