When you think about enjoying a summer garden, what comes to mind first? For me, it’s picking fresh cherry tomatoes straight from the vine. Is that not one of the best parts of having your own organic vegetable garden?
If you’re looking to add some delicious and nutritious tomatoes to your garden, why not try growing some heirloom cherry tomatoes? There are many different varieties to choose from that stand the test of time, and the best part is that you can save the seeds for years to come and never have to buy more again – until you want to try a new variety, that is!
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of what I consider the best heirloom cherry tomatoes to grow in your garden. Some of these are rare varieties not commonly found at most seed stores, so if you can get your hands on some of them, you’ll definitely want to save the seeds and share with friends!
Indeterminate vs. Determinate – What’s the Difference?
Tomatoes come in two main types: indeterminate and determinate.
Indeterminate tomato plants continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. They are also known as vining, pole or climbing tomatoes. These tomatoes keep growing all season long until frost stops them, and they can grow very large, sometimes up to 10-12 feet in height! As a result, indeterminate tomatoes aren’t well suited for container gardening, as they can become very top-heavy and require proper pruning to keep them from breaking under their own weight.
Determinate tomato plants stop growing once they reach a certain size. They are also known as bush tomatoes because they tend to be shorter and bushier compared to indeterminate tomatoes, which are more like climbing vines. These tomato plants grow to a certain size and then go to flower and eventually produce a large crop of tomatoes all at once. Although their stems are sturdier than the indeterminate varieties, they do require some support, although some of the more compact varieties may be able to grow without any extra support at all.
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, indeterminate tomatoes need more support, such as a cage or trellis, but they will produce fruit for a longer period of time. Determinate tomatoes do not need as much support, but they all ripen at once and are great for container gardening.
Ultimately, the best type of tomato for you will depend on your individual growing conditions and preferences.
1. Black Cherry
This variety produces large clusters of 1” deep purple or dark brown cherry tomatoes. They are super easy to grow and naturally disease resistant, and their dark color makes this an interesting addition to your garden! These cherry tomatoes are super sweet and juicy and are excellent for snacking.
Days to Maturity: 65
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com
2. Isis Candy
These cherry tomatoes are very pretty with their yellow and red marbling, and they have a cat’s eye starburst pattern on the blossom end. I’ve really been enjoying these ones in my garden, and the flavor is a little less sweet than others, making them great for cooking and salads. Make sure to water regularly and try not to let them dry out too much – I find that they can be a little more prone to splitting than some other varieties.
Days to Maturity: 65
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
3. Amy’s Apricot
I love the warm, golden color of these cherry tomatoes. These tomatoes are sweet and fruity – they really stand up to their name! In fact, many consider them on par with the famous Sungold hybrid cherry tomato.
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
4. Tiny Tim
If you are looking for an heirloom cherry tomato that is suited for container gardening or patio gardening, this is the perfect choice! Tiny Tim is a dwarf tomato variety that reaches about 12-18” tall with small, grape-sized cherry tomatoes. They are nicely balanced between sweetness and tartness. This is perfect for patio gardens or small backyard gardens that are low on space. This is one of the determinate tomato varieties on this list. Despite its small size, it gets totally loaded with tomatoes!
Days to Maturity: 50
Type: Determinate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
5. Chocolate
This is one of my all-time favorites. I got my father-in-law into them last year, and this year he’s started 104 tomato seedlings from last year’s seeds! There is no way he can fit anywhere close to that many tomato plants in his garden, but I had to laugh at how determined he is to make sure he’s got a good crop of these cherry tomatoes for this year! These heirloom cherry tomatoes have a beautiful red-brown color and have a rich and sweet flavor. If you are going to choose any of the tomatoes on this list, definitely try some of these! Who knows, maybe you’ll want to plant 100 of them next year!
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
Available at True Leaf Market.
6. Blondkopfchen
Try to pronounce this one! This heirloom cherry tomato comes from eastern Germany, and its name means “little blonde girl.” This is a large and sprawling tomato plant, and it is super high yielding. The tomatoes are deliciously sweet with a bit of a tart finish. The complex flavor makes it a favorite among those who know about it, so if this is your first time hearing about this variety, definitely give it a try!
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
7. Galina
I found out about this variety years ago from a friend who gifted me a plant. I’ve loved them ever since! These heirloom cherry tomatoes are VERY hardy and probably the most crack-resistant variety I know of! They are a beautiful golden yellow color and very sweet and flavorful. If you have too many tomatoes to go through at once, you can certainly leave these ones on the vine for longer. They are quite cold-resistant for a cherry tomato too, having originally come from Russia. Leave them until they reach full ripeness for the best flavor.
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
8. Gold Nugget
This one is a great choice for container gardening or small garden spaces. This determinate heirloom cherry tomato grows to about 24” high and produces large amounts of golden yellow fruits. The flavor is sweet and well balanced. This tomato also does quite well in cooler climates.
Days to Maturity: 56
Type: Determinate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
9. Snow White
This is a unique variety to add to your garden! These cherry tomatoes are a gorgeous pale yellow to ivory color, and they make a great addition if you are looking to grow a rainbow of different cherry tomatoes. They are sweet and juicy and are perfect for eating fresh or adding a unique color to a tomato salad.
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
10. Chadwick Cherry
Chadwick Cherry (or Camp Joy) is a very popular cherry tomato variety developed by the late master gardener Alan Chadwick. This is a large and heavy-yielding plant that will need lots of support. Expect a big harvest! These bright red cherry tomatoes are disease resistant and bursting with flavor. They are late to mature, so they will probably be your last tomatoes of the season, but they are worth the wait!
Days to Maturity: 75-80
Type: Indeterminate
Available at TomatoFest.com.
Conclusion
Eating a bunch of juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes right from the vine is one of the many joys of having your own organic garden. While they do require some pruning for airflow and probably some extra fertilizer, tomato plants grow just about everywhere and give a great reward. Before you know it, you’ll be bringing in a big bowl of juicy cherry tomatoes every day for everyone to enjoy!
These are what I consider the 10 best heirloom cherry tomatoes to grow. I would recommend any of these choices. I hope you found this post helpful and that you are excited to try growing some of these delicious tomatoes yourself!
Looking for the best heirloom tomatoes to grow for slicing? Check out my top 10 recommendations!
What are your favorite heirloom cherry tomatoes? Let me know in the comments!
And if you’re looking to get started with homesteading and organic gardening, make sure to check out my complete guide to organic gardening and why you should plant heirloom seeds this year.
