- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 70–90 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Indeterminate, Paste Tomato (Learn more)
Native: Andes
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: Vines up to 6' or longer
Variety Info: 3"–4" long, 1 ½" wide, oblong, red fruits. 'San Marzano' is a "paste" tomato.
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: San Marzano' tomatoes are at the peak of sun-ripened deliciousness when red, and have a slight give when gently squeezed.
- Wendy F.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/9/25Beautiful tomatoes for sauce
These tomatoes are perfect for sauces and pastes. They produce a huge number of beautiful red, plump, dense fruit, climbing 4' or more. Because I had a groundhog who thought he'd test my tomatoes at night, I started picking them early and ripening them in the sun on our back porch. They were just as sweet and perfect as if I'd left them on the vine (sans groundhog). I put up several pints of sauce early in the summer, but because they just won't quit, I have rinsed and bagged the rest whole for the freezer to make sauce later. I will definitely purchase and grow these again. With a fence to keep out the groundhog. :)
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/9/25Hey Wendy F.,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our San Marzano Roma Pole Tomato Seeds! We absolutely love hearing from gardeners who discover just how perfect these tomatoes are for sauce-making - there's nothing quite like the dense, flavorful fruit they produce for preserving.
The fact that these plants just kept producing all season long so you could put up pints of sauce AND still have plenty to freeze for later - that's exactly what we love to hear!
It sounds like you really maximized your harvest despite that sneaky groundhog! Your groundhog-proof fence plan for next season sounds like a smart investment to protect all those beautiful climbing vines and their abundant harvest. Keep on growing 🌻️
- JuneRated 5 out of 5 stars8/29/25So good!
A very prolific variety, one of my favorites!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/29/25Hey June,
Thank you so much for sharing your video of our San Marzano Roma Pole Tomato plant! It's beautiful! We absolutely love hearing that this prolific variety has become one of your favorites - that's exactly the kind of enthusiasm these amazing tomatoes inspire! San Marzanos are such incredible producers once they get established, and it sounds like yours are really delivering on that legendary performance. There's nothing quite like having a reliable go-to variety that you can count on year after year! Keep on growing 🌻️
- DRated 5 out of 5 stars8/14/2595% Germination Rate
Thankful for great sprouting rate!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/15/25Hey D,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. We're so glad you've had great success! What will you make with all of your tomatoes? Keep on growing 🌻️
- Chris G.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/30/255 Stars
Everything is as advertised, good quality and usually timely. No real complaints
- Kayla G.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/26/255 Stars
Love! Last year I planted the San Marzanos by seed on one side of my garden and San Marzanos starts from a nursery on the otherside and the seeds surpassed the starts!