Solanum lycopersicum “Cherokee Purple”

Price range: $4.00 through $10.00

The Smoky Rose Heirloom

In the gentle heat of midsummer, ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomatoes swell on the vine like dusky jewels, their rose-red skins brushed with green shoulders and kissed by a faint purple haze. Slice into one, and the flesh reveals a marbled tapestry of crimson and amber, releasing an aroma that mingles sweetness, earth, and a whisper of woodsmoke — a flavor profile as complex and lingering as a fine aged wine.

An heirloom of storied lineage, ‘Cherokee Purple’ is believed to have been passed down through generations in Tennessee, its seeds entrusted to gardeners as a gift of history and sustenance. Revered for its unmatched depth of flavor, it has earned a place in the kitchens of both home cooks and chefs who seek the essence of a true, old-fashioned tomato.

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Description

🌿 Why ‘Cherokee Purple’ Captivates Gardeners and Gourmets

  • Extraordinary flavor — rich, smoky-sweet, with a mellow earthiness and lingering umami.
  • Beautiful presentation — dusky rose skin with subtle green shoulders and deep ruby flesh.
  • Nutrient-dense — abundant in lycopene, vitamin C, and other antioxidants.
  • Cultural heritage — a living link to seed-saving traditions and Cherokee agricultural history.
  • Versatile in the kitchen — ideal fresh in salads and sandwiches, or roasted for luxurious sauces.

 

🌞 Care Guide for a Legendary Harvest

  • Light: Full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily for best fruit set and flavor depth.
  • Soil: Rich, well-draining loam, enriched with compost; pH 6.0–6.8.
  • Watering: Deep, even moisture at the base; avoid wetting foliage to prevent blight.
  • Support: Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support heavy, indeterminate vines.
  • Feeding: Apply a balanced tomato fertilizer at planting, and side-dress midseason.
  • Pruning: Remove lower leaves and pinch suckers to improve airflow and direct plant energy.
  • Harvest: Fruits are ready when the color deepens to rich rose with slight green shoulders, and yield slightly to gentle pressure.

 

🌸 The Soul of the Summer Table

To grow ‘Cherokee Purple’ is to tend a story in your garden — one rooted in history, shaded with mystery, and ripened in the sun’s embrace. Each harvest is more than food; it is a connection to the earth and to generations of gardeners who cherished this smoky rose heirloom for its beauty, abundance, and the unforgettable taste of summer.

Additional information

Size

4” Size, 1-Gallon Size

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