- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 80 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Indeterminate, Slicing Tomato (Learn more)
Native: Andes
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: Vines up to 6' or longer
Variety Info: 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.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For mild climates only: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
When to Start Inside: 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.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 24"–36"
Row Spacing: 36"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 24"–36"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Cherokee Purple' tomatoes are at the peak of sun-ripened deliciousness when fully colored and have a slight give when gently squeezed.
- 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 🌻️
- JoRated 5 out of 5 stars4/30/255 Stars
This is new to me, but i like the purple blends…so I thought I would give this a try.
- Deanna H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/29/255 Stars
The germination on these seeds has been great, the plants a growing super healthy and I am getting a lot of tomatoes. So far I’ve only harvested a couple but I do enjoy the taste and though the smokey after taste is super cool
- Mike ..Rated 4 out of 5 stars4/28/254 Stars
Alright so first thing these tomatoes are amazing. Unlike any store-bought tomato and I could see why. Super soft flesh and super juicy on the inside. Could eat these all day sliced with salt and pepper or on a sandwich. Wife/friends/neighbors love em.
However - living in southwest florida, these didnt stand a chance. Cutterworms couldn’t get enough of them- destroyed 1/3 of my crop at least. Another 3rd were rotted by different insects/ pests, I started harvesting them a bit early to save them and let them ripen on my window sill. UF IFAS website recommends these as disease/pest resistent in FL…still have to comb through my patch nightly to kill bugs. A lot of work but well worth it. Might try again next year with a bit more knowledge and a better strategy.
- Dorothy H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1/31/255 Stars
Love everything I've gotten from Epic! Great seed prices and quality, love all the YouTube videos, and the prepackaged mixes are wonderful gifts for fellow gardeners!