Heirloom tomatoes are a gardener’s favorite for one simple reason: nothing beats their flavor, variety, and character. These time-tested cultivars have been passed down for generations, often saved from one season to the next, bringing with them rich colors, bold textures, and unforgettable taste. Unlike commercial hybrids, heirloom tomatoes grow true to type, meaning you get the same dependable plant year after year if you save the seeds properly.
From deep purples to bright golds and marbled reds, these tomatoes offer more than just good looks—they pack incredible flavor and garden charm. Whether you’re filling your backyard beds or lining up containers on your balcony, this list of must-grow heirloom tomatoes is for anyone ready to grow food that tastes as good as it looks.
Table of Contents
1. Black Cherry
Black Cherry heirloom tomatoes are small in size but big in personality. These deep reddish-purple cherry tomatoes are prized for their bold, sweet flavor and juicy bite—perfect for snacking right off the vine or tossing into salads for a pop of color and taste. Despite their petite form, the plants themselves can grow quite tall and will need sturdy support like cages or trellises to stay upright through the growing season.
These tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may support heart health and reduce inflammation. They also offer a good dose of vitamins A, C, and B-complex, along with minerals like potassium and iron. Black Cherry thrives in warm temperatures between 50°F and 90°F, and each fruit typically grows to about 1.5 inches across.
Growing tip: Give these vines plenty of sun—at least 6–8 hours per day—and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil for best results.
2. Brandywine (Sudduth’s Strain)
When gardeners talk about heirloom tomatoes, Brandywine is often the first name mentioned—and the Sudduth’s Strain is considered one of the finest. This large, pinkish-red beefsteak variety is known for its smooth texture and balanced, slightly sweet flavor with just a hint of acidity. It’s the kind of tomato that makes sandwiches unforgettable.
Brandywine (Sudduth’s Strain) is a bit of a diva in the garden. It takes around 80 to 90 days to mature and prefers to grow in fresh, fertile soil where tomatoes haven’t been planted before. These plants benefit from a sheltered area that still gets full sun—aim for at least 8 hours daily.
Since the fruits are large and the vines grow tall, staking or caging is a must to prevent damage from weight. Though the yields may be lower than hybrid varieties, the taste more than makes up for it.
Pro Tip: Rotate your tomato crop location yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases and give Brandywine the best start possible.
3. Dixie Golden Giant
For gardeners who like their heirloom tomatoes big, bold, and beautiful, the Dixie Golden Giant is a top choice. This sunny yellow beefsteak variety traces its roots back to Amish growers in the 1930s and regularly produces fruits weighing up to 2 pounds each.
Beyond its size, what makes this tomato special is its mild, fruity flavor and meaty texture—perfect for slicing, fresh eating, or showing off in colorful summer dishes. The golden color adds a bright splash to any tomato platter and brings a bit of sunshine to your garden rows.
Unlike some other large heirloom tomatoes, Dixie Golden Giant matures a little faster, often ripening in under 85 days. The plants grow tall and require staking, but they are generally strong producers with good disease resistance.
Gardening Tip: Give these tomatoes consistent watering and mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture and prevent cracking.
4. Delicious
As its name promises, the Delicious heirloom tomato delivers on both taste and size. These large, red fruits have a smooth, firm texture that holds up beautifully in sandwiches, salsas, and fresh salads. With a sweet, rich flavor and minimal acidity, it’s easy to see why this variety has long been a garden favorite.
Delicious tomatoes are prolific producers, with fruits typically weighing 1–2 pounds. In fact, this variety once held the world record for the heaviest tomato ever grown—tipping the scales at over 7 pounds! The plants mature in about 77 days and can grow up to 6 feet tall, so be prepared with sturdy supports.
You’ll recognize them in the garden by their yellow blossoms and uniform, round shape. While they’re not as flashy in color as some others on this list, their flavor is anything but ordinary.
Tip for Success: Start seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last frost, and transplant them outdoors when the soil is warm and stable.
5. Chocolate Stripes
If you’re looking to grow a tomato that stands out on the plate and in the garden, Chocolate Stripes is the one. This striking heirloom tomato features marbled skin in rich shades of mahogany and deep red, often with olive or greenish striping that gives it a truly gourmet look.
But the appeal isn’t just skin-deep. Chocolate Stripes tomatoes have a sweet, earthy flavor that’s both complex and mild—ideal for salads, slicing, or roasting. Their firm flesh resists splitting, and the fruits can weigh between 8 to 18 ounces depending on growing conditions.
This variety prefers careful watering—only hydrate when the top 1–3 inches of soil are dry. Overwatering can cause the fruit to crack, especially late in the season. For optimal growth, fertilize early with a nitrogen-rich formula, but stop once the fruits begin forming to avoid excess foliage.
Grower’s Note: The fruits often come in slightly irregular shapes, but that’s part of the heirloom charm. Expect each tomato to look a little different—and taste amazing.
6. Blondkopfchen
With a name that means “little blonde girl” in German, Blondkopfchen is as charming as it sounds. This heirloom cherry tomato variety is beloved for its candy-sweet flavor and prolific fruit production. The golden-yellow, grape-sized fruits grow in generous clusters and can cover the plant with hundreds of bite-sized tomatoes over the course of the summer.
Unlike some heirlooms, Blondkopfchen is highly resistant to disease and cracking, making it a reliable performer in a range of climates. The fruits are about ½ inch in diameter and have a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity—great for fresh snacking, skewers, or adding color to salads.
The plants grow large and bushy, often over 6 feet tall, so provide strong vertical support. With their sunny hue and vigorous growth, they’re a cheerful and productive addition to any garden.
Bonus: These tomatoes store well and have a firm enough skin to hold up in lunchboxes and market bins without bruising.
7. Azoychka
The Azoychka heirloom tomato brings a bright, citrusy zing to the garden. This Russian variety stands out with its yellow skin and slightly flattened shape, producing medium-sized fruits that typically weigh around half a pound. The flavor is unique—less sweet than other yellow tomatoes and refreshingly tart, making it a favorite for those who love a tangy bite.
Azoychka plants are dependable producers, often yielding earlier than many other heirlooms with a maturity window around 70–75 days. The fruits have a smooth, juicy texture and low seed content, making them ideal for slicing or adding bold contrast to tomato-based dishes.
Because of their sturdy growth habit and strong stems, Azoychka tomatoes don’t require as much staking as larger varieties, though support is still recommended for optimal airflow and fruit development.
Growing Tip: Pair Azoychka with red or purple tomatoes in garden beds or salad bowls for eye-catching color and a well-rounded flavor mix.
8. Amana Orange
The Amana Orange heirloom tomato is a visual and culinary delight. Named after the Amana Colonies in Iowa, this bright orange beefsteak variety is known for its massive size, often reaching over 1 pound per fruit. But it’s not just about looks—the flavor is rich, low in acidity, and has a fruity sweetness that makes it perfect for slicing, sauces, or eating straight from the vine.
The smooth skin and meaty texture give this tomato a satisfying bite, while its vibrant color makes it a standout in any tomato lineup. It typically matures in 80–90 days and prefers full sun with consistent watering and well-drained soil.
Like other large heirlooms, Amana Orange needs sturdy cages or stakes to support the heavy fruit. It performs best in warm weather and benefits from regular feeding during its vegetative phase.
Pro Tip: For the richest flavor, let the fruits ripen fully on the vine. Their orange color deepens slightly when they’re perfectly ripe.
9. Black Krim
Dark, dramatic, and bursting with flavor, the Black Krim heirloom tomato is a favorite among serious tomato lovers. Originating from the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine, this variety produces deep reddish-purple fruits with dark green shoulders and a complex, slightly smoky flavor that sets it apart.
Each fruit typically weighs up to 1 pound and is packed with rich, juicy flesh that’s perfect for slicing into sandwiches or layering in tomato salads. The balance of sweetness and savory depth makes Black Krim a gourmet addition to any garden.
These tomatoes mature in about 75–85 days and prefer hot, sunny conditions. While they tolerate humidity better than some other heirlooms, proper spacing and airflow help prevent disease. Due to their thin skin, handle the fruits gently during harvest to avoid bruising.
Growing Advice: Stake early and deeply—Black Krim vines are vigorous growers and benefit from strong support to bear their heavy fruit load.
10. Brandywine
No list of heirloom tomatoes is complete without the iconic Brandywine. Known for its large, pinkish-red fruits and creamy texture, Brandywine has earned its legendary status among gardeners and chefs alike. This variety has been cultivated since the 1800s and is still beloved for its rich, balanced flavor with subtle sweetness and minimal acidity.
Fruits often exceed 1 pound, with soft, juicy flesh and a smooth skin that slices cleanly. The plants take their time to mature—usually around 85–90 days—but the wait is well worth it. Brandywine tomatoes are ideal for fresh eating, sandwiches, and showing off at your local farmer’s market.
This variety is indeterminate, meaning it will continue producing fruit throughout the season with proper care. Be sure to give it plenty of sun, deep watering, and secure staking to support the heavy harvest.
Pro Tip: Brandywine can be sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so consider planting in a warm, protected location for best results.
Written by Molly 🌿
Founder of Grow Greenery Now, Molly’s gardening journey began in her grandmother’s sunlit vegetable patch. Every bloom she plants honors that legacy of patience, love, and quiet miracles. Through heartfelt stories and practical tips, she shares how gardening can be both soulful and sustainable.
Read more about Molly →FAQs About Growing Heirloom Tomatoes
What makes a tomato “heirloom”?
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down for generations—usually 50 years or more. Unlike hybrids, heirlooms grow true from seed, meaning you can save seeds from this year’s crop and grow the same variety next season. They’re prized for their unique colors, shapes, and especially their complex, robust flavors.
Are heirloom tomatoes harder to grow than hybrids?
Not necessarily, but they do need more attention. Heirlooms can be more susceptible to pests and diseases because they haven’t been bred for commercial hardiness like hybrids. However, with healthy soil, good airflow, and crop rotation, heirloom tomatoes can thrive and outperform hybrids in flavor and appearance.
Can I grow heirloom tomatoes in containers?
Absolutely! Many heirloom varieties, especially cherry types like Black Cherry or Blondkopfchen, do well in large pots. Use a container that holds at least 5 gallons of soil, place it in full sun, and support the plant with a stake or cage. Don’t forget to water consistently, as containers dry out faster than garden beds.
How do I save seeds from heirloom tomatoes?
To save seeds, scoop them from a ripe tomato, let them ferment in water for a few days, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Store the dried seeds in a cool, dry place until next planting season. Be sure to label them clearly!
Why are my heirloom tomatoes cracking?
Cracking is usually caused by inconsistent watering. When tomatoes receive a sudden surge of water after a dry period, the skin can split. Prevent this by watering regularly and using mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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